Switching From a USPS PO Box to a Secure Locking Mailbox at Home

Bellingham Mailbox •

For a lot of homeowners, renting a USPS PO box starts out as a convenience. Over time though, the annual fees, and extra trips to the post office can become frustrating enough that people begin looking for alternatives.

That was the case for this homeowner.

They had been using a USPS PO box for years but eventually decided they wanted secure mail delivery directly at their home instead. Between the rising annual cost of the PO box, repeated trips back and forth to pick up mail, and what they described as a crowded and disorganized local post office experience, they decided it was time to install a secure locking mailbox at the property.

One interesting part of this project was that the home had never had a mailbox installed before.

Choosing a High-Security Locking Mailbox

After discussing what the homeowner was looking for, we recommended a Mail Boss Mail Manager Pro high-security locking mailbox paired with a heavy-duty steel mailbox post.

Before moving forward, we also sent the homeowner our YouTube overview of the mailbox so they could better understand:

  • Mail capacity
  • Locking features
  • Build quality
  • Security design

That’s something we often recommend for homeowners comparing locking mailbox options online. Seeing the mailbox in a real installation environment is usually much more helpful than only looking at manufacturer photos.

Coordinating a New Mailbox Installation With USPS

Because this property had never previously received curbside mail delivery, coordinating with USPS before installation was required.

Before beginning the project, we communicated directly with the post office serving the property and reviewed the plan for adding a new mailbox location.

Together, we agreed upon an approved location for the new mailbox installation and future mail delivery.

This is an important step that homeowners often overlook.

If you’re planning to:

  • Add a new mailbox
  • Relocate an existing mailbox
  • Remove a mailbox
  • Change mailbox configurations

it’s always a good idea to coordinate with your local postmaster first.

Without USPS approval, there’s a risk that:

  • Mail delivery could be delayed
  • The mailbox may need to be relocated
  • The installation may not meet carrier route requirements

Installing a Mailbox on an Embankment

One challenge with this installation was the terrain.

The approved mailbox location sat on an embankment, which meant the mailbox post needed a deeper foundation than a standard installation to ensure it remained rigid and upright long term.

On uneven or sloped ground, mailbox post depth becomes especially important. Without enough buried support, mailbox posts can gradually begin leaning over time due to:

  • Soil movement
  • Freeze/thaw cycles
  • Rain runoff
  • The weight of the mailbox itself

To create a stronger foundation, we buried the mailbox post approximately 30 inches deep in concrete.

To achieve the additional depth needed for the installation, we lengthened the steel mailbox post by welding a reinforced rebar frame extension onto the bottom of the post.

For homeowners installing mailbox posts themselves, it’s also worth noting that Mail Boss Post Extension extensions are available directly from Mail Boss for deeper burial applications if welding equipment isn’t available.

Installing the New Locking Mailbox

Once the reinforced mailbox post was fully secured and the concrete had cured, we mounted the Mail Boss Mail Manager Pro locking mailbox to complete the installation.

The final setup gave the homeowner:

  • Secure curbside mail delivery
  • Protection against mail theft
  • A permanent mailbox installation
  • Elimination of ongoing PO box trips
  • A sturdier installation designed for uneven terrain

For many homeowners, switching from a PO box to a secure residential locking mailbox can make everyday mail access significantly more convenient while still maintaining strong mail security.

Learn More About the Products Used

Want to learn more about the products used in this installation?

Watch our YouTube product overviews and installation videos here:
Mail Boss Mail Manager Pro
Heavy Duty Steel Post

The Mail Boss Mail Manager Pro mailbox and heavy-duty steel mailbox post used in this installation are also available through our online store:
Mail Boss Mail Manager Pro
43" Heavy Duty Steel Post