Packaged very nicely as the picture shows.  Came with rocks separated but thats the only thing needed to be done.  Plugged it in and that was it!  Seems like the heating element pushes quite a bit of heat.  Wish the flame was a little bigger but all in all it looks awesome.  We havent installed it in the wall yet since we are quite to that point in our basement but going to hang it on the wall for the time being!!