I first thought the boxes would be huge -- not at all brought them in from the garage alone, I opened all the boxes and thought ok! WOW this I will never put all these pieces together! It was a breeze!!! It takes two people so my best friend and I did it (only because someone has to move the mattresses onto it and hold the headboard while the other screwed the pieces. Nice finish on the bed/ sturdy! This was an awesome buy -- just the price I wanted to pay and the perfect look! Don't hesitate to buy this if a metal bed is what you need!