There were no missing pieces, the instructions actually include words as opposed to just pictures, and the bed seems fairly sturdy. I think the sturdiness depends on how patient the builder is. Take the time to line everything up properly and leave the structural screws loose so you have play when attaching everything else, then tighten them all at the end. Catharine/Bill Coles list below of helpful installation tips was invaluable: especially the one about making sure the small drilled hole for the ladder is on the underside of the top front crossbar. There is nothing in the instructions to indicate that, and getting it wrong would necessitate undoing a lot of work. In addition, the white washers in packet 6 for the ladder dont really look like what you think of washers looking like, and unlike everything else youve done to that point they go on the inside, not the outside, of the ladder rungs. Also, on mine, there was a little bit of rust in a few places on the front top guardrail. But the main reason we purchased the beds was for their small footprint and so my daughter who is 56 could sit up comfortably on the bottom. And in those ways it delivers. Worth every dime
Good headroom, attractive, sturdy beds
There were no missing pieces, the instructions actually include words as opposed to just pictures, and the bed seems fairly sturdy. I think the sturdiness depends on how patient the builder is. Take the time to line everything up properly and leave the structural screws loose so you have play when attaching everything else, then tighten them all at the end. Catharine/Bill Coles list below of helpful installation tips was invaluable: especially the one about making sure the small drilled hole for the ladder is on the underside of the top front crossbar. There is nothing in the instructions to indicate that, and getting it wrong would necessitate undoing a lot of work. In addition, the white washers in packet 6 for the ladder dont really look like what you think of washers looking like, and unlike everything else youve done to that point they go on the inside, not the outside, of the ladder rungs. Also, on mine, there was a little bit of rust in a few places on the front top guardrail. But the main reason we purchased the beds was for their small footprint and so my daughter who is 56 could sit up comfortably on the bottom. And in those ways it delivers. Worth every dime