Was expecting it to be fairly similar to flat pack furniture I have gotten in the past. Was happy to discover that even the underside and backs of the shelves we're finished. Was really easy to put together. It didn't have instructions in the box but so long as it's not your first time putting together a flat pack shelf and/or you have common sense you'll be fine. My only complaint was there were scuffs and scrapes on the metal frame as though it had been put together in the past. Aside from that I am very happy with the product and it exceeded the expectations I had given the price range.