You definetely need assistance to slip shelves into poles. Shelves do not fall into place as easily as video demonstrates. Two 3 shelves wire rack instructions not very clear. Paper manual enclosed in box has very vague instructions. Paper instructions nor You Tube video assembly, never required a mallet for use to secure shelves. As 1-small person who does a lot of dyi at home by myself, it took more.than 20.min.