It was easy to assemble.  I got a great buy on it, I spent $40 and it was regularly $149.  But it's one of the best cat climbing trees I have ever purchased and the cats absolutely love it!  Each cat has a different favorite spot and the box it came in was sturdy enough that I set the tree on the box and cut a hole in the box so they can also go in and out of the box!!  Great buy all the way around!!