Be sure and read the instructions in their entirety. Do not assemble any strands (66) before installing base/electrical. All 66 strands and 66 crystal balls are inserted one by one while mid air on a ladder. It will take roughly 3-4 hours, depending on one’s grit. The slots are not numbered, therefore I used my finger as a guide to follow the circular patter to ensure #1 goes in the right place. All strands have to be inserted in order. The end results are certainly worth it. It is a beautiful piece