Unlike other reviews, I didn't find the bunk bed terribly challenging to assemble, although my husband and I did the work together.  The boxes certainly were heavy to carry upstairs, though.  Some of the wood pieces had natural black streaks I found unappealing, but we were able to hide those.  The same goes for the ugly sticker that faces the inside of the upper bunk.  We did have the add some cushion to the metal pieces that allow the ladder to hook to the bed.  Without the small cushion pads, the metal scratches the bed quite badly.  Overall, I'm satisfied and my kids like it!