Triple J Metal
PCS orders come with a lot of things you can’t control: report date, housing assignment, which base you’re moving to. The one thing you can control is whether your vehicles, boat, or work trailer are covered before the first Central Texas hail storm hits.
Triple J Metal is located in Temple, TX — about 30 minutes from Killeen. We build carports and covered structures for military families across the Killeen–Harker Heights corridor. This is what we’ve learned about how to make the process work around a PCS timeline.
Why PCS Season Creates an Urgent Carport Window
The peak PCS wave runs from late April through early August — the same period that Central Texas enters its severe weather season. Families arriving in this window often have vehicles sitting in unshaded driveways or gravel lots while they settle in. Texas UV degrades vehicle paint and interiors faster than most military families expect coming from bases in the Pacific Northwest or Northeast.
Beyond UV, Bell County hail season typically runs March through June. A single hail event can total a vehicle that was sitting uncovered in a driveway.
The first question most military buyers ask is not “what gauge is the frame” — it’s “how fast can you build it?” Here’s our honest answer.
Triple J’s Typical Timeline From First Call to Keys
- First call or form: We confirm your property address, size, and use, and talk through what your jurisdiction usually requires for permits (City of Killeen, Harker Heights, or unincorporated Bell County, depending on your address).
- Written quote: For your actual dimensions and scope. In a non-HOA area where the structure doesn’t need a permit, site prep can be scheduled right after you sign. Where a permit is required, who files it is set in your written scope, and the build is scheduled once it’s approved.
- Concrete, if you want it: Our crew pours the slab, sets the anchor bolts in the wet concrete, and lets it cure. Concrete is available on any build and priced separately.
- Steel erection: Same-week scheduling once scope, materials, site readiness and any required approvals are confirmed. Larger structures take longer on site than a standard 20×20 carport.
For families who need to park their vehicles covered immediately, we can often prioritize your project in the schedule if you mention your PCS situation on the quote call. We’re a local crew — we confirm scheduling for your project directly.
How Triple J Compares to Competitors on Military Timelines
| Triple J Metal (Temple TX) | National Kit Dealers | Regional Bolted Dealers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical lead time | Same-week scheduling after approval | Confirm current schedule | Confirm current schedule |
| Concrete | Available; priced separately, same contract | Confirm scope | Confirm scope |
| Permits | Advisory help; filing confirmed in scope | Confirm with provider | Confirm with provider |
| Site prep | Our skid steer crew | Confirm scope | Confirm scope |
| Military discount | 7% — check the box on the quote form | Confirm with provider | Confirm with provider |
| Local crew | Temple-based crew | National brand | Troy / Waco TX |
Budgeting for Your Carport
A 20×20 flat-roof carport at 10 ft height starts at $3,000, welded, for steel and installation. Concrete, walls, and other add-ons are priced separately. Request a written quote for your actual dimensions and scope before planning the purchase.
Off-Post Housing Considerations
If you’re living off-post in Heritage Oaks, Bella Charca, Nolanville, or subdivisions near Harker Heights, check your lease or HOA covenants before committing to a specific structure type. Some HOA communities require architectural review before a structure can be erected. Every build we do is 26-gauge PBR in 39 colors, so we can match the house; if your covenants rule out exposed-fastener panels, we’ll tell you before you pay for anything.
For renters, many landlords in the Killeen area will allow a freestanding carport, especially if it protects the driveway surface. Triple J welds every build, so plan on a structure that stays: get your landlord’s written OK first, tell us what they’ll allow, and we’ll quote the anchoring for that site.
Military Discount and How to Claim It
Triple J takes 7% off every install for active-duty, retired, Reserve/Guard and first responders. Check the military box on the quote form (or mention your service on the call) and we’ll apply it to your quote. Nothing to prove on the call — we verify by service ID, military email or DD-214 at the estimate.
If you’re inbound PCSing to Fort Cavazos, call us from your current station. We can have the quote ready before you arrive so you can sign and schedule the same week you move in.
Boat or RV coming with you? See our RV and boat covers.