Very easy to assemble. Quality with everything. The liner is a nice touch. Some reviews have mentioned how they thought it should be clear coated. Fir is a very dense wood that repels moisture. I thought of using a urethane coating, but chose not to. Fir really doesn't allow the protectant to soak in, so would have to be redone every 1-2 years. My only regret is that my balcony isn't big enough for two of these planters.