winchman,
Assembly is pretty easy, it took 2 to 3 hours total. The frame is OK for one person to handle, but the cover is a 2 person job. I put mine up over a 2 weekend span only because it gets very windy at my place (on top of a hill and not alot of trees) and I could see myself doing a Sally Field (you know-the Flying Nun /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif) impersonation. As far as the surface, mine is in the corner of an old pasture - sod. The anchors that came with the kit are (4) 18" auger style which seem to do a good job. I have since purchased "permanent" 32" augers to increase holding power.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Mike