This was a nightmare to assemble. Bought for my 8 year old and my 5 year old (just placed a mattress on the bottom). The key to assembly is to put the bolts in just enough so that they hold, but not fasten them at all unless specifically told to. The top reverse/U shaped handles will otherwise not fit. It is otherwise a relatively quick build, especially if you have somebody to hold parts of the bed up for you as you assemble it. Less than an hour for the actual build if you spend 5 minutes going over the instructions.
Why I docked two stars:
1. The assembly is such that I am pretty certain that it will not survive multiple moves. I dont think the bolts will hold multiple assembly/disassembly, and from my experience Id only be comfortable disassembling and assembling it just one more time. Also, not really sure if the plastic caps that keep the ribs in place will be easily removable. Well see next year.
2. The other star I docked for the shipping and packaging. It came with quite a few cuts, and I dont blame the handlers because the package is awfully awkward. Its a long box that is glued so tight that it is a real struggle to get the pieces out if the box has any dents at all. Pieces wont slide out as they get caught in the dents and I ended up having to cut the box open (advised against in the packaging). I dont think the box had to be that long (it seemed longer than the long side of the bed for some reason) and it probably didnt have to be a single box either.
Satisfied
This was a nightmare to assemble. Bought for my 8 year old and my 5 year old (just placed a mattress on the bottom). The key to assembly is to put the bolts in just enough so that they hold, but not fasten them at all unless specifically told to. The top reverse/U shaped handles will otherwise not fit. It is otherwise a relatively quick build, especially if you have somebody to hold parts of the bed up for you as you assemble it. Less than an hour for the actual build if you spend 5 minutes going over the instructions. Why I docked two stars: 1. The assembly is such that I am pretty certain that it will not survive multiple moves. I dont think the bolts will hold multiple assembly/disassembly, and from my experience Id only be comfortable disassembling and assembling it just one more time. Also, not really sure if the plastic caps that keep the ribs in place will be easily removable. Well see next year. 2. The other star I docked for the shipping and packaging. It came with quite a few cuts, and I dont blame the handlers because the package is awfully awkward. Its a long box that is glued so tight that it is a real struggle to get the pieces out if the box has any dents at all. Pieces wont slide out as they get caught in the dents and I ended up having to cut the box open (advised against in the packaging). I dont think the box had to be that long (it seemed longer than the long side of the bed for some reason) and it probably didnt have to be a single box either.