This bed is a fortress! Very sturdy. It's a major puzzle and I (female with decent DIY skills) did assemble it myself, but with my husband on speed dial for emotional support LOL! It took about 10 hrs & a six pack to assemble. Really the only two grips I had: 1) toss the wood screws for the latter rungs and use your own. 2) The closet and fort doors needed better stoppers to eep doors from swinging in (over closing)