cost of mailbox

The average cost to replace a mailbox and post is about $125 when you do the work yourself. If you hire a handyman for installation, expect an average cost closer to $285. The biggest cost factor is the price of the box, and they vary widely from less than $20 to more than $300 for products like handmade wood or hammered copper mailboxes.

Last Updated: Wednesday, January 12, 2022


Estimated Cost Comparison Table

Low Estimate

$46 – $125

Average Cost Estimate

$135 – $435

High Estimate

$270 – $955

Mailbox Cost $14 – $50 $25 – $75 $60 – $350
Post cost $12 – $40 $20 – $80 $50 – $275
Supplies Cost $10 – $25 $15 – $40 $30 – $55
Accessories $10 – $35 $20 – $55 $30 – $75
Installation Cost N/A $55 – $185 $100 – $200
Installed By DIY Pro Pro
Permit & Inspection N/A N/A N/A

Sections: Overview | Product Costs | Installation Cost | DIY or Pro | Web Compare | Shared Pricing

Overview of Mailboxes and Mount Posts

Replacing a damaged or outdated mailbox and post is a simple way to upgrade your home’s curb appeal. Your options range from a basic wood post and metal box to a upscale materials and designs that show the neighborhood a bit of your personality. In cold climates, a sturdy combination that can withstand snow thrown by the plow is essential too. You can purchase the box and post separately or in a combination kit. For more adventurous homeowners, you might consider a brick mailbox as an option.

This estimation explores mailbox replacement cost for boxes and posts that can be purchased at home improvement stores or online. It does not cover custom-made enclosures such as those crafted from brick or stone.

Below are factors that affect your price and an itemized list of materials and supplies that explain mailbox and post options. We’ll help you decide whether this is a DIY project. We’ve also included pricing from around the internet along with costs from other homeowners to give you a clear idea of mailbox prices.

Product Cost and Installation Supplies

Mailbox Cost Factors

The ranges in the table at the top are broad. This section and the itemized list below will clarify what your costs will be.

  • Mailbox Type and Quality: Mailboxes ranges from cheap steel and plastic boxes to the popular resin post & mailbox kits to copper and stainless steel. Some hand-painted metal and handmade wood mailboxes are very expensive.
  • Post Type and Quality: Pressure-treated pine is the cheapest type followed by simple steel posts. Quality PVC posts and metal posts with wrought-iron appearance or other decorative flairs are moderately priced. On the high end are faux ledge stone and stucco pillar and box enclosures that install over a wood or steel post for support.
  • Supplies: Some mailbox kits include a steel post that is driven into the ground, so no additional supplies are needed. A bag of concrete mix is usually all that is needed when using a wood post for support. If you have to buy tools such as a posthole digger, saw and other hand tools, cost will rise.
  • Accessories: Peel & stick house numbers and letters for your name are the cheapest. Wood and metal in a range of finishes are also available.
  • Who Installs: If you hire a handyman service for the work, the cost will be based on estimated time for the project. The handyman will consider how much assembly is required, installation of numbers and letters, how hard the ground is for digging and the distance traveled to reach your home.

Cost of Installation Supplies

This itemized list breaks down the costs in the tables to allow you to better estimate what your costs will be.

  • $14 – $300 | Mailbox: Cheap steel or plastic ($14-$30), resin or quality steel ($30-$60), copper, bronze or stainless steel ($40-$185) and hand-painted metal or handmade wood (up to $300+). Resin post and box combination kits ranges from about $60 to $95.
  • $12 – $175 | Post: A pressure-treated 4×4 posts cost $11-$15. Post and stake combination kits cost $30-$50. Non-decorative steel posts with platforms for the box cost $50-$95. Decorative posts and enclosures of various materials cost significantly more.
  • $1 – $15 each | Numbers and letters. Price depends on quality.
  • $4.50 – $6 each | A 40lb bag of concrete mix. One bag should be sufficient
  • $3.50 – $5 each | .5 cu. ft. bag of gravel
  • $12 – $40 | Spade or posthole digger
  • $15 – $25 | 4lb sledge

Permits, Inspection, and Installation Costs

No permit is required for installing a mailbox and post of the types we’re discussing. It may be beneficial however, to call ahead to 311, or DigSafe, to assure you are not digging in an area with buried utilities.

Permits and Inspection

  • $0 | Not usually required, however, check with your HOA for restrictions if applicable.

Installation Cost and Time

Installing a post and mailbox is a common reason to hire a handyman. This is a one-person job, and as noted, it will probably be priced by the time and materials required. Independent handymen charge less than large handyman services, but might not be licensed or insured. Sometimes retirees offer handyman services at very affordable rates.

  • $55 – $125 | Minimum fee from most handyman services for up to 1 hour of work
  • $40 – $75 per hour | Additional labor, if needed

Completed Installation Time

This job should go quickly if there are no complications.

  • Up to 1 hour | Simple installation including digging a hole in soft soils, setting a post, backfilling with concrete, attaching the mailbox and installing the house number on the box or post.
  • 1-2 hours | Complex installation when the soil is very hard or assembly of a post and box kit is time-consuming.

DIY or Hire a Pro

The last time I had to replace my mailbox, it was discovered during a routine exterior home inspection to be wobbly and the post was rotted at the base. This job takes time and effort more than it requires expertise. It’s certainly a DIY job if you have a few hours to devote to it and are in good physical condition for digging. Do-it-yourselfers save an average of $115 to $150 in labor costs.

If you tackle the job, this flier from the USPS provides useful information on mailboxes and installation including these:

  • Mailboxes must be placed 6 to 8 inches away from the curb; the slot or door must be 41 to 45 inches from the ground.
  • Curbside mailbox posts should be buried less than 24 inches deep and made from wood no larger than 4 inches high by 4 inches wide. Steel or aluminum pipes with a 2-inch diameter are also acceptable.

This 2-minute YouTube video from Home Depot is a quick tutorial on post and mailbox installation.

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