The city of Dickson and the county seat in Charlotte

People are sometimes surprised that the county offices aren't in Dickson. Charlotte has been the county seat for a long time, and its 1835 courthouse is often described as the oldest in continuous use in Tennessee. The city of Dickson, near I-40, is where most residents and businesses are.

The county's other incorporated towns are Burns, White Bluff, Vanleer and Slayden. Unincorporated areas around them are covered too. For more on the largest city, see cleanup in Dickson.

A county of homeowners

About 80 percent of occupied homes in Dickson County are owner-occupied, according to Census figures for 2020 to 2024. Most calls come from homeowners or their families rather than landlords. That changes the conversation. A family usually wants to know what will be removed from a home they plan to keep living in or sell, and how to talk to their insurer about it.

We give you a written scope before work begins and documentation afterward: photos, a list of what was removed, and an itemized invoice. Our guide to insurance questions after an incident lists what to ask your agent. Coverage depends entirely on your policy.

Wooded land, state parks and river frontage

Montgomery Bell State Park sits in the eastern part of the county, and the Harpeth River runs along the eastern border. Much of the county is wooded and hilly, with homes set back from the road. On these properties, access shapes the plan:

Steep or narrow drives can limit where we park.
Septic systems and wells affect wastewater handling.
Cabins and second homes may sit empty for stretches, which can delay discovery.
Manufactured homes have different floor and wall construction from site-built houses, which affects what can be cleaned.

Mention any of these when you call. A photo of the driveway or building can help us plan. Neighboring Cheatham County and Hickman County have similar terrain, and we cover both.

Manufactured and mobile homes

Manufactured homes are common in the rural parts of many Middle Tennessee counties, and they need a careful assessment. Floors are often particleboard or OSB decking that absorbs fluid quickly, and wall panels and ductwork differ from those in a site-built house. In some cases removal reaches further than the surface damage suggests. We'll show you what we find and explain the options before any work begins. Our page on biological contamination cleanup covers how we decide on material removal.

Calls we get from Dickson County

The jobs we see here vary. A family may call after a relative died at home, sometimes in a rural house where they weren't found for a while. A homeowner may call after an injury left blood on carpet, stairs or a vehicle seat. A business near the interstate may need a restroom or work area closed and cleaned after an incident. Each one follows the same pattern of release, assessment, written scope and work, but the details differ.

If you're unsure which service fits, these pages may help: unattended death cleanup, cleanup after a traumatic injury, and commercial biohazard cleanup. Or simply call and describe the situation in general terms. We'll take it from there.

Who releases the property

Inside the city of Dickson, the city police department typically handles incidents. In the rest of the county, the Dickson County Sheriff's Office is generally the law enforcement agency. When a death is unexpected, the county medical examiner is involved. The property has to be released before we can begin. If you're unsure, ask the investigator.

Travel and scheduling west of Nashville

The city of Dickson is reached by I-40 or US 70. Charlotte, Vanleer and the northern part of the county add more driving. We confirm a schedule by phone at (615) 513-5112, taking distance and our other work into account. We don't promise arrival times, but we'll give you a straight answer about what to expect.

Questions people ask

Is Charlotte or Vanleer too far out for you?

No. Both are in Dickson County and within our area. They're farther from Nashville than the city of Dickson, so we'll talk about timing when you call.

Can you assess a manufactured home?

Yes. We look at the flooring, subfloor and wall panels, and tell you what can be cleaned and what needs to be removed. Repairs afterward are a contractor's job, and we'll tell you if you'll need one.

We're keeping the house. Will cleanup make it livable again?

Our work removes contaminated material and disinfects and deodorizes the affected area. If flooring or drywall comes out, a contractor will need to replace it before the room is finished again. We'll be clear about what to expect.

Is Dickson County close enough that you can come out more than once if needed?

Yes. Larger jobs sometimes take more than one visit, for example when materials need to be removed in stages or a final check is needed after deodorizing. We'll explain whether that's likely when we give you the written scope, and we'll schedule each visit with you.

Who should I call first if I find someone has died at home?

Call 911. Law enforcement and, where appropriate, the county medical examiner will handle the person who died and the investigation. Cleanup comes later, once the home has been released. Our guide on what to expect after a traumatic death walks through the first days.

Should I throw away the bedding and rugs myself?

Please don't. Keep people away from the area and leave items where they are until you've spoken to your insurer and we've assessed them. Our guide on what not to do before an assessment explains why.

Dickson County, TN Biohazard Cleanup Coverage