How to Replace a Curbside Mailbox & Average Cost for Mailbox Installation

Having to replace a damaged curbside mailbox run over by a vehicle or snow plow sure can piss you off, but with the right advice, tools and professional guidance, you can have a new mailbox installed in no time. This article will walk you through the process from digging the hole to mounting the mailbox, and provide an overview of the typical costs involved. Also if you're home is located in southeast Michigan, Michigan's Handyman offers free mailbox estimates right over the phone at (248) 506-4000. My team has installed thousands of damaged roadside mailboxes over the years and we can help you get yours back in working order.

Free Mailbox Installation Estimate

Mailbox Legal Height Dimensions and Restrictions

Before starting your mailbox replacement, it’s important to know the legal requirements:

• Height: The mailbox should be positioned 41 to 45 inches from the ground to the bottom of the mailbox.
• Distance from the road: The front of the mailbox should be approximately 6 to 8 inches from the curb or road edge.

Following these guidelines will help ensure your mailbox complies with the U.S. Postal Services regulations and reduce the risk of future damage.

Standard Mailbox Sizes

There are three standard sizes of mailboxes:

• Small (T1): 5 inches wide x 6 inches tall x 18.5 inches long
• Medium (T2): 6 inches wide x 7 inches tall x 19 inches long
• Large (T3): 8 inches wide x 11.5 inches tall x 22.5 inches long

I always tell my customers to choose a size that fits their typical mail volume and any special needs, such as parcel delivery.

Step-by-Step Guide to Replace a Mailbox

Tools and Materials I Would Recommend:

• New mailbox
• Post (wood or metal)
• Post hole digger or shovel
• Quick-setting concrete
• Level
• Tape measure
• Screwdriver or drill
• Screws or mounting hardware

Start by removing the remnants of the old mailbox and post. If the post is broken, you may need to dig out the old concrete base.

Here's the fun part, use a post hole digger and dig the hole at least 2 feet deep. The hole should be wide enough to accommodate the new post and provide stability.

Place the new post in the hole. Use a level to ensure it’s straight. Pour quick-setting concrete around the post, filling the hole about halfway. Add water to the concrete as directed on the package and mix. Allow the concrete to set for about 10-20 minutes.

Once the concrete has set, fill the remainder of the hole with dirt and pack it firmly around the mailbox post. Check again with a level to ensure the post is still straight.

Using the provided screws or mounting hardware, attach the new mailbox to the post. Make sure the mailbox door opens freely and is securely mounted.

Double-check the height and distance from the curb to ensure compliance with regulations. Make any necessary adjustments before the concrete fully hardens.

Average Cost to Install a Mailbox

The cost to have a typical roadside mailbox installed by our team can vary depending on several things, which includs the type of mailbox, the materials used for the post, and of course labor charges. Here's a typical breakdown:

1. Mailbox and Post Cost:

• Standard mailbox: $20 to $100, on average depending on size and material.
• Post: $25 to $50 for a basic wooden or metal post, a very decorative option could be even more.

2. Labor Costs:

• Professional installation: I would say are charge typically ranges between $150 to $400, depending on the complexity of the job, location, and any additional work like removing old concrete or dealing with special mounting requirements.

3. Concrete and Supplies:

• Quick-setting concrete: $5 to $10 per bag (you may need 1-2 bags).
• Miscellaneous supplies: Screws, brackets, and other mounting hardware might add $10 to $20.

In total, I'd say you should expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $500 for a typical complete roadside mailbox installation, including materials and labor. Of course I think these are for standard mailboxes. I mean you could opt to buy a $2000 mailbox if you wanted to and we would install it. For a more accurate estimate tailored to your specific needs, Michigan's Handyman offers free mailbox estimates & quotes over the phone at (248) 506-4000. Since our guys have years of experience installing thousands of roadside mailboxes, we can guarantee a job well done.

Cost to Install or Replace Mailbox in Oakland County

Addison, Auburn Hills, Berkley, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, Birmingham, Bloomfield, Bloomfield Hills, Brandon, Clarkston, Clawson, Commerce, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Fenton, Ferndale, Franklin Village, Groveland, Hazel Park, Highland, Holly, Huntington Woods, Independence, Keego Harbor, Lake Angelus, Lake Orion, Lathrup Village, Leonard, Lyon Township, Madison Heights, Milford, Northville, Novi, Oak Park, Oakland, Orchard Lake, Ortonville, Oxford, Pleasant Ridge, Pontiac, Rochester Hills, Rochester, Rose Township, Royal Oak, South Lyon, Southfield, Springfield, Sylvan Lake, Troy, Walled Lake, Waterford, West Bloomfield, White Lake, Wixom, Wolverine Lake

48009 48017 48025 48030 48034 48067 48069 48070 48071 48072 48073 48075 48076 48083 48084 48098 48165 48178 48220 48237 48301 48302 48304 48306 48307 48309 48320 48322 48323 48324 48326 48327 48328 48329 48331 48334 48335 48336 48340 48341 48342 48346 48348 48350 48356 48357 48359 48360 48362 48363 48367 48370 48371 48374 48375 48377 48380 48381 48382 48383 48386 48390 48393 48442 48462

Cost to Install or Replace Mailbox in Macomb County

Armada, Bruce, Center Line, Chesterfield, Clinton Township, Eastpointe, Fraser, Harrison, Lenox, Macomb, Mount Clemens, New Baltimore, New Haven, Ray Township, Romeo, Roseville, Richmond, St. Clair Shores, Shelby, Sterling Heights, Utica, Warren, Washington

48005 48015 4801 48026 48035 48036 48038 48042 48043 48044 48045 48047 48048 48050 48051 48062 48065 48066 48080 48081 48082 48089 48091 48092 48093 48094 48095 48096 48310 48312 48313 48314 48315 48316 48317

Cost to Install or Replace Mailbox in Wayne County

Allen Park, Belleville, Canton, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Detroit, Ecorse, Flat Rock, Garden City, Gibraltar, Grosse Ile, Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Farms Grosse Pointe Park, Grosse Pointe Shores, Grosse Pointe Woods, Hamtramck, Harper Woods, Highland Park, Inkster, Lincoln Park, Livonia, Melvindale, Northville, Plymouth, Redford, River Rouge, Riverview, Rockwood, Romulus, Southgate, Taylor, Trenton, Waterford, Wayne, Westland, Woodhaven, Wyandotte

48101 48111 48120 48122 48124 48125 48126 48127 48128 48134 48135 48138 48141 48146 48150 48152 48154 48164 48167 48170 48173 48174 48180 48183 48184 48185 48186 48187 48188 48192 48195 48201 48202 48203 48204 48205 48206 48207 48208 48209 48210 48211 48212 48213 48214 48215 48216 48217 48218 48219 48221 48223 48224 48225 48226 48227 48228 48229 48230 48234 48235 48236 48238 48239 48240

Do you need a Michigan Handyman with lots of satisfied references call (248) 506-4000 to speak to us, or fill out our free estimate form.