These units are super easy to put together, and look like they will last a number of years. I will use them as 'starter beds' for my plants, then after a year or two - lift them to another area to make up another starter bed; they would be quite easy to move that way. The pieces just slide together - only the top end caps need one screw to secure. There is a wood piece connecting the middle, as an extra support against the unit bowing out over time. Each side of the unit holds about 1 1/2 to 2 bags of 40 lbs. topsoil, maybe 3 bags each side if you want it filled all the way to the top. The way I prepared my bed for this unit was to place layers of newspapers down on the bottom - on top of the grass, then I put a bunch of broken twigs on the newspapers to help fill it up, and use less soil. That way, I used 1 1/2 bags soil per side. Nice product - easy to use and looks very nice in the yard - a plus is the cedar wood, will weather well and last longer.