Posted on

Are 4C Mailboxes Easy To Install? A Comparison

Search all the help articles:

Are 4C Mailboxes Easy To Install? A Comparison

← All Topics

The ease of installation for any 4C mailbox will depend on the type of mailbox you are installing. As 4C mailboxes range from Wall Mounted models to the NEW Freestanding Depot Enclosure with 4C Horizontal Mailboxes, the installation procedures will be different for each.

USPS requirements must be met when installing such mailboxes, so it’s best to go over them before installation, regardless of the 4C mailbox type. See the requirements section.

4C mailboxes are built to meet USPS requirements and the Americans With Disabilities Act, so the installer’s job will simply be to find the correct place to install, and to ensure the units are at the correct height.

Wall Mounted (Surface Mount) Mailbox Installation. These mailboxes, which simply mount to a wall, are the easiest of the 4C mailboxes to install as they require minimal labor and can be installed side by side. No prep to the area is needed other than ensuring that a bare wall capable of supporting surface mount mailboxes is available, and enough space is available to ensure that USPS requirements on height can be met. This job will be the easiest when using a power drill and assistance for labor.

One con to installing surface mount mailboxes is that the fasteners are often not included with these units. One pro is that the master lock will be installed by a USPS employee.

Freestanding Depot Enclosure with 4C Horizontal Mailboxes. Installing outdoor Freestanding Depot Enclosure with 4C Horizontal Mailboxes isn’t too time-consuming or difficult if a concrete pad is already available for installation and help is available. However, if no concrete pad is available in a centralized location, a new pad will need to be poured and allowed to dry before installation, and the requirements for that pad will need to be met.

As for the installation, all that must be done is to install the Freestanding Depot Enclosure and then install the Recessed 4C Horizontal Mailbox unit inside of it. A USPS employee will be responsible for installing the master lock.

Recessed Mailbox Installation. Recessed mailboxes, some of which are rear-loading, are mounted into a wall or kiosk, and will require either an existing hole for installation or a new one. This adds an extra step if no opening is available. If an opening is available, installing these mailboxes will require less time, especially when only one unit is being installed.

Since recessed mailboxes are often installed side by side to serve many customers, it is often required to connect these units to each other using special hardware included with these boxes. One pro is that recessed mailboxes save much-needed indoor space, though the installation can be more time-consuming than some other mailbox types.