Before you start
What to have ready
- Approval or placement guidance from your local post office
- A mailbox approved for your delivery type and its mounting instructions
- Measurements from the road surface and curb or road edge
- A support appropriate for roadside placement
- A utility-location check before digging
Step by step
Make a clear plan
- 01
Confirm the delivery location
Ask the local post office where the mailbox should go. A wall-mounted mailbox or move from curbside delivery may require different approval.
- 02
Mark the curbside position
USPS guidance generally places the bottom of the mailbox or mail-entry point 41–45 in above the road surface and the mailbox 6–8 in back from the curb. If there is no raised curb, ask the local postmaster for placement guidance.
- 03
Check below ground and choose the support
Arrange a utility-location check before digging. Choose a support that follows the mailbox instructions and roadside safety guidance; do not assume a heavy concrete post is appropriate.
- 04
Install and verify
Mount the mailbox using the product instructions. Recheck height, setback, door operation, and visible address markings before considering the work complete.
Double-check
Common mistakes to avoid
- Measuring height from the lawn instead of the road surface.
- Moving or changing delivery type without local postal approval.
- Treating a concrete quantity estimate as a complete roadside support design.
Further reading
Sources and product guidance
Use these references alongside the instructions for the products and materials you choose.