The directions left a bit to be desired but printing out an enlarged full color pic from the website helped alot.  Once assembled, the piece is awesome!  I have 5 cats and at various times of the day, there will be 2 to all 5 either sleeping or clawing on it.  For the 6 month old, it is her private jungle gym.  

The components are well made and when fastened together form a very sturdy unit.  Several of my cats weigh in the teens and the unit withstands their spirited play very well.