Read that was a sturdy bed but it is not as sturdy as I thought it would be because it is still somewhat light weight due to the hollow metal.  Instructions were easy to follow and the holes all aligned.  As a 5'4" small-framed female, I was able to put the bed together myself.  It doesn't creak but it does shift when the kids climb off and on the bed.  The foot ladder rungs are the worst though; they hurt everyone'e feet. Would have been better if they were flatter in design.