DIY Mailbox Installation: A Step-by-Step Guide | Fort Knox Mailbox
DIY Mailbox Installation: A Step-by-Step Guide
Have you considered boosting your home’s look or ensuring your mail is safe? A new mailbox can do both. Diving into a DIY mailbox installation can bring up excitement and a tiny bit of “how do I actually do this?” feeling.
From choosing the right spot that is accessible and safe to making sure your mailbox doesn’t end up leaning like the Tower of Pisa – there’s a bit to think about. But don’t worry, this self-install mailbox guide is here to take you from “Can I really do this?” to “Look at what I’ve just done!”. Keep reading to get started!
Getting Down to Business
Here’s how you can nail the DIY mailbox installation process from start to finish:
1) Selecting the Perfect Location
Choosing where to put your mailbox is step one. Look for a spot that’s easy for your mail carrier to access but doesn’t block the sidewalk or get too close to the street. As a DIY mailbox setup tip, we recommend you aim for about 6-8 inches back from the curb, with the box sitting 41-45 inches above ground level. This ensures it’s out of harm’s way and meets postal service standards.
2) Start with Digging the Post Hole
You’ll need a shovel or a post-hole digger for this job. Depending on the post size, the hole should be deep enough to keep your mailbox steady – about 1-2 feet. Here is another DIY mailbox setup tip: If the soil is tough, soaking it can make digging easier.
3) Securing the Post
After digging, set your post in the hole and fill it with concrete or gravel. Concrete is best for a permanent fix, while gravel allows water to drain and makes the post easier to remove if needed. Use a level to ensure the post is straight before the concrete sets or the gravel is fully packed.
4) Ensuring It’s Properly Aligned and Stable
Recheck the alignment of your post with a level. It needs a little time to settle in, especially if you’re using concrete, which should dry for at least 24 hours. This step is crucial for a stable foundation for your mailbox.
5) Mount the Mailbox to the Post or Support Structure
The final step of your self-install mailbox guide is attaching it. Whether on a wooden post or a metal support, ensure it’s tightly secured. The mailbox should be at the right height for easy mail delivery and retrieval and must not wobble.
Get the Perfect Solution with Fort Knox Mailbox
You’ve got this! Installing your mailbox is more than just a weekend project; it’s about taking pride in your home and keeping your mail secure. At Fort Knox Mailbox, we understand that a DIY installation can be challenging. We are here to lighten this burden with top-quality, secure mailboxes.
Don’t leave the safety of your letters and packages to chance. Our fortified mailboxes are made of American steel and are easy to install. With 30 years of experience, we’re here to deliver the security and durability your mail deserves. Get your mailbox today!
Fort Knox Mailboxes are made 100% in America, by Americans, for those who are ready for serious mail protection.
Testimonials
Ernie & Liz
Washington State
To the fine folks at Fortknoxmailbox.
We received our M1-LT today and wow, just wow. It is a thing of beauty. Tough, sturdy. sleek and good to look at. We are so excited to have secure mail once again! Thank you so much for the high quality product. We will be sure to recommend your company and products to our friends.
Thanks again,
Ernie & Liz
Washington State
Derrick
Custom Install
Were finished with the custom build. Here's a photo of how your mailbox was utilized
-Derrick
Kristin B.
GA
Hi, I purchased your large standard box a few years ago because our business street kept getting hit by mail thieves. Last night they struck again, effectively stealing over $3000 in checks from our neighboring businesses. They tried unsuccessfully to get into our box as you can see, but the Fort Knox box did its job! This was well worth the investment and has paid for itself over and over. It just so happened that we had an $11,000 check in our box but the thieves gave up when they realized how tough this box is!! From one business owner to another, I just wanted to say THANK YOU!! - Kristen B.
H. C.
Snohomish, WA
Hi,
Somebody tried to steal my mailbox last week. They started by ramming into it with a pickup truck & managed only a small dent in the stand, but a big dent in their truck. Next, they used a cargo strap to wrap around it to pull it out of the ground, & the cement finally gave way. The beauty of this incident is that, by that time, my dogs started barking & it chased them away. We kept the nearly new cargo strap!
The mailbox looks a little worse for wear & I have to get new numbers, but I'm glad I still have a mailbox!
Thanks for best built mailbox ever!
H. C. in Snohomish, WA
Jennifer P.
CA
I (for my company) purchased one of your mailboxes 9 years ago due to it constantly being broken into, once a week at least … it took 9 years of thieves attempting to pry it open before they decided to just take the whole thing! It’s a testament to your product that they had to resort to taking it (we did have it attached to a base we thought was heavy enough) – but we didn’t have the post before! I am confident that we’ll get that long or longer this time around since we’re putting it in the ground properly. I came right back to you guys for the replacement, thank you for your great mailboxes!
Jennifer P.
Nick T.
LA
Dear Ft Knox Folks,
Last month I sent you a photo of my Ft. Knox Mailbox that was 'attacked' by a shotgun-toting idiot. Just wanted you to know my box is repainted, re-lettered and back on post. Learned from my postal carrier that others on my highway with those big-box cast aluminum mailboxes didn't do as well. Those owners found their mailboxes in tiny pieces...only the post remained.
The mail carrier was so impressed by your design, she has been spreading the word and so if you see a spike in sales from this area.... Anyway, here's a photo of my wonderful mailbox, standing tall and proud!
Best regards,
Nick T.
Marco
December 20, 2024.
We received the four boxes and post a couple of weeks ago. Everything went great with the delivery and the color looks great. Obviously, they are very solid units!
Thank you!
– Marco
Tim
December 20, 2024.
Just wanted to say thank you for an amazing mailbox. In the picture you can see they did not get into my mailbox so again thank you and my neighbors are asking what it is so I’m sending them your way. - Tim
Linda
OR
Well I am quite impressed the mailbox is everything I thought and more. It is HUGE and so well made. The kid that is trashing my mailboxes, I hope he tries again with this one. I hope he takes a metal bat and takes a big swing at it. If I see he is an arm cast I know just what happen. I am very impressed with your product and the packing your company did to get it here safely. My son told me the package stated DO NOT DROP and then commented if you dropped it you would crack the flooring. 
🙂
🙂
Ronnie
February 24, 2024.
Thanks very much for delivering the mailbox. It looks great! Our neighbor who is getting the other brand got a look at it, and was exclaiming about how strong and good looking it is. I think he might have wanted one of yours, but maybe his wife nixed it. We’re delighted with it, and hope to install it before the week is out. My husband and neighbor will be taking care of installing all of them. Thanks too for getting us the extra keys.
My husband and neighbor installed the 3 boxes this morning, and I’ll have to say, ours really looks tough but terrific, as our neighbor told us several times! Because it’s on the end, and it’s green, it’s quite noticeable. It won’t surprise me if we start getting questions from other people in the neighborhood who see it as they drive by. It’s a very busy street. You know that I’ll be most eager to tell them about you! Thanks again for your patience with me. (GREAT personalized customer service!!!) Thanks again for making this an enjoyable process!
Pat F
February 24, 2024.
We just got our 3 small off-white mailboxes installed on the t-post and they’re really nice! I’m sure the neighbors in our cul-de-sac will take an immediate liking to them once they see ’em. Thank you so much for offering such a well crafted and secure mailbox that’s also visually appealing as well. We were very impressed with the quality of construction and have no fear of having future mail compromised in any way.
It was definitely worth the wait! Thanks again!
Alex
February 24, 2024.
I have had some pretty bad experiences with other companies I have done business with not providing good customer service, but it is nice to see your company making customer service priority number one; goes really well with your great product (FortKnox Mailboxes). Big gold star for really awesome customer service. Give your whole team a huge thanks.
Charlie
February 24, 2024.
Big brother, this is our kinda mailbox. M-60’s won’t touch it, maybe a 50 Cal, but not much more. 1/4” real steel. If you want to remove it, figure on pulling out the 135-pound box, plus the post weighs an additional 45 lbs. Bring your own APC or half-track. That should simmer down the nitwits.
Diana
CT
Hello, Just wanted to tell you that the mailbox arrived today in excellent condition. It is AWESOME!!! I can’t wait to install it at the curb. And thank you for the business cards…I will definitely give them out to people, like myself, that want a bit more security and durability from their mailboxes. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that I work for USPS and know of some mailboxes that need replacing….LOL!!! I can’t wait till my husband gets home from work and sees it. (Creepy that I am so excited about a mailbox…but it is definitely a work of art to me!!!) Thanks again to you and the whole crew there at Fort Knox Mailboxes….You guys are the BEST!!!!
Joe
February 24, 2024.
1st Email:
“I had my Fort Knox mailbox hit three times (all hit and run). After the second time the box, along with the concrete, was knocked out the ground (pictures above) I “wisely” reset the box with 8 bags of concrete (w/rebar reinforcement). Thus, the third time it was hit it was a real pain in the *$# to deal with! I learned my lesson… cut the post off at the ground, had a welding shop extend the post to 6′, and reset it… this time with much less concrete.”
2nd Email:
“Hello, Glad you got the photos. The problems we’ve had since we switched to the Fort Knox Mailbox aren’t as annoying as having to constantly replace vandalized mailboxes. Resetting the Fort Knox box every couple of years is better than buying and replacing a cheaper box every 3 months! Joe S.”
Takes a lickn’ and keeps on tickn’. I’d like to see another mailbox go through that!
John & Barbara
California
The custom Vacationer that you made for us really looks great, now that I finally got it installed! You make the best security boxes that anyone could even think of manufacturing! I think my neighbors are envious, as one kept stopping by to watch our progress as we mounted the box on the post yesterday! FYI, should you be interested in my post’s construction, it’s a full 6″ x 6″ dimensional rough sawn heart redwood post that I designed myself. The vertical part is ten feet long, with about 15″ of it above the mailbox’s top and 3.5 feet of the post is set in concrete. The Vacationer sits on the post at 42″ above the road surface. I attached the box with eight 3/8″ stainless steel hanger bolts, that are set three inches in the redwood with the machine threads extending 7/8″ above the surface. For sealing out the rainwater between the box and the post, I added a perimeter of 1/4″ foam weather stripping to the post with eight rubber washers around each hanger bolt before it was set in place! The bolts are capped off on the inside with; rubber washers, stainless flat washers, and stainless steel acorn nuts. Thanks again for making such a first-class product! I hope my post is worthy of your mailbox, at least it’s just as sturdy!
Seth
California
Fort Knox:
You guys are the best! The mailbox was sent to me very quickly and it’s the best I’ve ever seen. When you love a mailbox this much, you have to customize it. My new pal, Mick at “Bad Ass Paint” located in Los Angeles customized my Fort Knox mailbox with an incredible one of a kind paint job. Since I live in a canyon in Los Angeles the kids go up and down each side of the street batting the mailboxes. Now with the Fort Knox mailbox, I don’t have any worries now. Also, theft is no longer a concern either. This thing is a beast. Sometimes it is the little things in life that make us the happiest.
All the best
Michael V
California, Fort Knox Mailbox Owner
First of all, thank you for the wonderful Fort Knox Mailbox for our home. It will provide us with many years of security and good looks. In fact, it may outlast our house!…. Attached, is a picture of me and our Fort Knox Mailbox. My wife and I thought you’d get a kick out of it.