I'm really not great at building things, so I was very nervous about putting an entire bed together (and trusting it to hold me in my sleep).  It took a few hours, but my boyfriend and I managed to follow the directions and get it together in one piece!  The drawers are a little difficult, but definitely worth it.  The pictures on the directions were great, but there were times we both wanted a little more instruction.  I think the build would have gone faster.  That being said... it's incredibly sturdy, and it looks AMAZING.  Even knowing how intense the building process is, I'd still buy it again.