You’ve signed on the dotted line, your belongings are packed, and you’re ready to move into your dream home. You just have one more task to complete: figuring out your mailbox situation. If you’ve only lived in apartments or houses that already had a mailbox, you likely haven’t put much thought into how you get one for your home in the first place.

In this guide, we cover everything you need to know about adding a mailbox to your home — from the prep work beforehand to choosing the right design for your house and needs.

How Do I Get a Mailbox for My New House?

Getting a mailbox for your house isn’t as simple as installing one in your front yard. First, you need to ensure you can have an individual mailbox and follow the sizing and placement regulations from your post office.

Check USPS Delivers to Your Home

You might be surprised to discover the United States Postal Service (USPS) doesn’t deliver to every physical address. In some areas, USPS won’t deliver to homes, but you can set up a P.O. Box to receive your mail. So, the first thing you should do is check that USPS actually delivers to your neighborhood or street.

Be sure to check with your assigned post office — it might not be the one closest to your address!

Make Sure Your Neighborhood Doesn’t Have Cluster Boxes

If USPS offers delivery services to your area, you need to check if your house is assigned to a cluster mailbox. Cluster mailboxes are large, free-standing units containing multiple mailbox and parcel compartments that lock individually. Many neighborhoods use these because they ease post office delivery. These mailboxes may be placed at the entrance of your community or throughout it.

If you live in an area with cluster mailboxes, you will need to visit your assigned post office to get the location and keys for your mailbox. Unfortunately, you most likely can’t change to an individual mailbox on your property since the cluster mailbox is already the approved form of delivery for your address.

Get Permission From Your Local Post Office

If your home is on a USPS delivery route and you don’t have a cluster mailbox, you can purchase and install your own. However, you still need to follow some guidelines.

You need permission before installing a mailbox (whether you’re installing a new one or moving/replacing an existing one). Contact the postmaster or mail person at your local post office to get your mailbox plans approved.

Your mailbox must meet certain criteria set by the United States Postal Service. For curbside mailboxes, you have size and construction standards to meet, and your mailbox must get the Postmaster General’s (PMG) seal of approval. For a wall-mounted mailbox, you still need approval from your local postmaster, but they are not required to have the PMG’s seal of approval. Make sure you install one big enough to hold a typical day’s worth of mail and catalogs.

Where to Purchase Mailboxes

You can purchase mailboxes from some big-box home improvement stores, but these stores tend to have limited selections that leave much to be desired in the aesthetics department.

You can also order mailboxes online through companies like Bold MFG & Supply, where you’ll find custom-made, modern designs. Some mass-produced mailboxes come in already USPS-approved sizes. If you choose the custom route, you must show your postmaster the mailbox to get it approved.

Picking a Mailbox Type

No matter where you shop, you want a mailbox that meets USPS regulations, is big enough for your postal needs, and matches your home’s aesthetic. Here are some different types of mailboxes to consider.

Curbside mailboxes are located toward the edge of your property, near the street or sidewalk, offering easy access to your mail carrier. They are mounted on a post or pedestal. Traditionally, these mailboxes are box-shaped with a flag to indicate outgoing mail. Bold MFG & Supply offers modern steel designs in various shapes, sizes, and finishes to match your home’s appearance.

Parcel mailboxes, like the Stratford Parcel Mailbox, are specifically designed to receive larger packages along with regular mail. They frequently feature locking mechanisms for added security and have separate compartments for mail and packages.

Wall-mounted mailboxes are attached to the exterior wall of your home, typically near the front door or entryway. You might see this in more suburban areas where space is limited or placing a mailbox curbside isn’t as feasible.

No matter which style mailbox you choose, remember to get approval from your local postmaster, have your mailbox clearly labeled with your house number, and ensure there is a clear, easy path to the box for your mail carrier.

Find the Perfect Mailbox for Your New Home at Bold MFG & Supply

Your mailbox is one of the first things visitors see. Ready to make a standout statement? Explore Bold MFG’s range of high-quality, custom-made raw steel mailboxes today and find the perfect addition to your curb appeal! We ship steel mailboxes around the country.