DuraTrelDura-Trel 11201 Hillcrest Potting Bench

After reading the reviews. we started out by laying out all the pieces and numbering them. All were there. The color is bright white. You need open floor space to assemble, cordless electric drill for the screws and a square to even all up. We also used some clamps to hold the upper shelf together. It took about 2 hours to complete. Insturctions could be written better, but take your time and follow the steps in order for success. Potting bench is very durable, stable, not wobbly, and HUGE. will be a good space for potting. Or attractive enough for display counter at pool, porch, garage, etc. When completed we noticed the bottom post were open and hollow. My thought...over time it would sink into dirt and fill up. We capped the bottom (same caps as the top, purchased from Lowes) so this would not happen. Then we thought that might prevent water that may get into it from moving out. We will have to see and may need to take off the bottom post caps. Caps have points, so bench may wobble on hard surfaces. Attaching pictures for you to see. My husband who is assembling it is 5'3" so you can see the height. Looking forward to using the bench.

Well, you get what you pay for but I thought I'd get better than I got. Looks great in the picture, doesn't it. Seemed simple enough a design, too, I'm a veteran of the Ikea Years so how hard could this plastic potting bench be to assemble? Little did I know. Where holes were to have been pre-drilled there were no holes! The self-tapping screws didn't. Nothing was on the square. Parts were milled improperly. Sure, I got it together but I doubt there is a right angle anywhere on it. I had to use a drill and assorted bits to conquer the reluctance of the bench legs to accept those less than penetrable screws. PLUS, the box arrived with one of the four end caps missing. Want to take any bets on if I'll ever see that. Finally, the packaging was a joke. All the pieces were loose inside a big cardboard box. Sure, some were nested and the screws and "super glue" were sealed in a plastic bag but no attempt had been made to secure the parts in the box. I hid it in back behind my garden shed and will probably take it apart this winter and try and reassemble it to look like the photograph.

The product is good, but the instructions aren't great and a fair number of the holes have not been drilled. It would be nice if they would give you a couple of extra screws, too, for this price. Kind of surprising inattention to detail (is it really that hard for the manufacturer to get it right, especially when so many people have observed this?). But with some time anyone who is the least bit handy and has a drill can figure it out. Pretty sturdy when you get it put together. Overall I am pleased despite the annoyances.

Very nice product! Solid, very well thought out and it looks great! Follow the instructions and assembly is not a problem. You do need to make sure the screws grab and seat properly, sucking both pieces together for a tight fit. Put it together yesterday morning and I've used it all weekend. I did use stainless steel screws to attached the 4 post caps as well as the table top assemble. That gives me the option of modifying, or customizing it in the future.I think it would be great if they offered a version a bit wider and had a built in sink. Just my 2 cents!

Not an easy stand to put together. We received two left front legs and not enough screws. Short 4 screws. Customer service sent us the orrect needed leg and a opened screw bag with four screws. Thought the couId have thrown in a bag of screws. Isnt completely stable. It does look nice but I was a bit disappointed in the product.

This was my experience too: “Where holes were to have been pre-drilled there were no holes! The self-tapping screws didn't. Nothing was on the square. Parts were milled improperly. Sure, I got it together but I doubt there is a right angle anywhere on it. I had to use a drill and assorted bits to conquer the reluctance of the bench legs to accept those less than penetrable screws.” by Eugene F. Hodal Jr.Folks who say this bench is easy to assemble must have received something different from what came to me. If the manufacturer had just paid more attention to these details, this would be a fine bench.

My son and I put it together in about 1 - 1 1/2 hours. He was really good and visually knew what goes where. The directions were horrible. He said it would have been easier if the pieces were marked. There is no way I could have done it myself. One of the end caps came broken, but I’ll call the manufacturer on Monday. Here are photos to show how nice it is. I’m so happy with it.IMG_2053.JPG IMG_2052.JPG

Harder to assemble than I anticipated.