So you are one of those brave souls that have decided to build your own brick mailbox. Good for you. You found the place to guide you on your endeavor. In here you will find lots of information, tips and pictures to help you along the way.

1 - US Mailboxes Postal regulations

Before building a brick mailbox, you should contact the local permit department to determine if there are any mailbox ordinances in your community. Though the postal service is silent on the post’s material, rigid structures, like brick mailboxes, on busy roads may be considered a safety hazard by your state or town, so make sure you check before you start. Ordinances may vary slightly due to unusual local conditions, but the US Postal Service has issued basic regulations regarding curbside deliveries:

- The vertical height from road surface to bottom of mailbox needs to be between 41?

- The distance from the outside edge of curb or edge of road surface to front of the brick mailbox must be 6? to 8?.

- At least 1 inch high letters and numbers in contrasting color on the side of the box visible to the carrier’s regular approach.

- You must have a flag.

- The newspaper receptacle must not touch the mailbox or interfere with the delivery of mail.

If you are really interested you can read the USPS mailbox oficial regulations.

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) has also published a guide for mailbox location and assembly titled A Guide for Erecting Mailboxes on Highways that can be helpful.

2 - Remove current mailbox

If you already have a mailbox remove it, as well as all of the dirt from around the base of the post. Mailbox posts are often set in concrete, although yours may be attached to a metal stake, which makes it easier to remove. If your post is set in concrete, you’ll probably need to remove all the concrete before pouring the footer for your brick mailbox. If you have a hard time getting the concrete out you might want to consider a new location.
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3 - Dig the hole for your footer

Dig a hole for your footer that is 12? -18? below the frost line in your area. The frost line depth is not consistent around the nation because there is such a dramatic difference in climate from state to state. For example, the frost line in southern Florida is less than a foot, while in northern Minnesota it approaches 6 feet. The best source of information regarding your frost line depth is your local building department.

Make the hole a few inches wider than the mailbox area will be.

4 - Mix and pour concrete

The easiest way is to make concrete is to buy pre-mixed bags of ready-to-mix concrete at home centers and lumber yards. All you need to do is add water and mix. Use the minimum amount of water possible while still keeping the mixture workable. The less water used, the stronger the dried, finished product will be. Use a trowel to level the footer. There is an online concrete quantity calculator that can help you figure out how many bags of fast-setting concrete you would need.

If the hole is several feet deep you might want to add rocks for filling so you don’t have to use so much concrete. You can also pour the concrete up to 8? from ground level like the picutes shows and then use 8? by 8? by 16? concrete blocks to get you to ground level.If installing a brick flower planter place a piece of PVC in the slab when poured in the area where the planter will be. This will allow a hole for drainage.

5 - Build foundation

After the footing has cured for about seven days, build the foundation with two 8? by 8? by 16? blocks. Use a trowel to mark reference points for the placement of the blocks. Make sure you know what size of brick mailbox you want to build.

6 - Mark edges

Mark the center reference point on the far end of the footer and use a framing square to mark the outside edges and any other edges where blocks will rest.

7 - Lay brick

Mix concrete mason mix and lay mortar along each line where the edge of a block will rest. Place plenty of mortar on each line. Continue building the brick mail box wall making sure that everything is aligned and straight.

More coming …