I bought this last year for my new home, which came without a fireplace!  For me, this unit was too complicated to assemble by myself -- I'm not very strong or handy with tools, but I paid a friend's son to assemble it for $200.00.  While we were at it I asked my friend to construct a small "hearth" about 2 inches high, and a few inches wider than the unit that I covered with the remaining scraps of the new kitchen floor which is a faux slate with streaks of the exact same color as the wood running through it.  It looks better than setting the raw fireplace on a carpeted floor and the overall effect is sensational.  The fireplace puts out a nice warm glow of heat that will slowly warm up a smaller room and looks very cheerful and pleasant in the evening.  Great appearance, good value, good pick!