Brick mailboxes have come to be considered as one of the hallmarks of higher-quality homes. In most cases brick mailboxes are included as part of the package with higher-end new homes or sometimes as an upgrade feature in mid-range homes. Brick mailboxes come prebuilt from a number of manufacturers in various sizes and styles and are shipped to the location for installation, or you can contract with a bricklayer/mason to build a custom mailbox.
Installing a Brick Mailbox
Brick mailboxes, whether prebuilt or custom, will need to be installed on a concrete foundation or base for durability and safety. A craftsman building a custom brick mailbox will probably use a wooden frame to create the dimensions of the base and lay the first bricks directly onto the still wet concrete or onto a bottom layer of cement-covered concrete blocks. Prebuilt mailboxes of different sizes and types have varying installation instructions, but most involve placement in a concrete foundation.
General Price Range
The general price range for brick mailboxes is $250 to $1,200 as of July 2011. While that might sound like a large range, a wide variety of sizes and choices of materials are available, and decorative bricklayers generally charge $50 an hour and up for their time. For $250 you will simply get a pretty generic prebuilt brick mailbox, but those willing to spend $1,000 or more are typically adding an attractive landscape feature to their home.
Prebuilt Brick Mailboxes
MoreMailboxes.com lists several models of inexpensive prebuilt brick mailboxes for sale ranging from $250 to $400. AAA Brick Mailbox shows illustrations of several favorite models of high-end brick mailboxes on its website, with prices ranging from $800 to $1,100. These prebuilt brick mailboxes are typically column-style mailboxes with a large internal capacity.
Custom Brick Mailboxes
Custom brick mailboxes start at around $350 and range up to several thousand dollars. According to Mailboxes PDQ, typical brick mailboxes including installation range from $700 to $1,100. Custom brick mailboxes are usually built with the same or similar style bricks to match the decor of the home. These mailboxes almost always encase a high-quality steel, copper or brass mailbox and are often security mailboxes with locks and made of high-strength steel.