Four incorporated cities and a lot of county in between

Murfreesboro is the county seat and by far the largest city. It is often described as the geographic center of Tennessee. Smyrna and La Vergne line the I-24 corridor closer to Nashville, and Eagleville is a small town in the southwest corner. Everything else, from Christiana to Rockvale to Lascassas, is unincorporated.

We have separate pages on cleanup in Murfreesboro, Smyrna and La Vergne. This page covers the county as a whole, including the areas those pages don't.

Newer construction changes what gets removed

A large share of the county's homes were built in the last few decades. Newer construction tends to mean wall-to-wall carpet over pad on OSB subfloor, luxury vinyl plank floating over underlayment, and open floor plans where one room flows into the next. Each of those details matters. Fluids travel under floating floors and soak into OSB more readily than into older solid lumber, so a stain that looks small on the surface can mean a wider removal underneath.

Our page on carpet and subfloor cleanup explains how we decide where to cut, and this guide covers which materials can be cleaned and which have to go.

Rentals across the county

About 35 percent of occupied homes in Rutherford County are rented, according to Census estimates for 2020 to 2024. That covers apartment complexes near the interstate, duplexes and single-family homes owned by investors. When an incident happens in a rental, the owner usually needs to know three things fast: whether the unit can be secured, what the scope looks like, and what records they will get.

For owners and managers

We provide photos, a written scope and an itemized invoice. Those records help with insurance questions, tenant communication and any later turnover work. See our landlord services for detail.

Farms and rural homes in the south and east

Away from the interstate, the county is still largely agricultural. Homes may sit at the end of a long gravel drive, next to a barn or shop building, or on a property with several outbuildings. A detached garage, workshop or shed is sometimes where an incident happened, and these spaces often have bare concrete, unsealed wood and stored belongings that complicate cleanup.

Tell us about outbuildings, animals on the property and any access issues, such as a low-water crossing or a locked farm gate. We plan for the extra carrying distance and make sure waste is packaged and removed in line with Tennessee and federal requirements, not left in a farm dumpster or burn pile.

Vehicles and the I-24 commute

Many residents commute to Nashville every day, and some of our county calls involve a car or truck rather than a building. A vehicle may have been released by police after an incident, or a family may have found one after a death. Upholstery, carpet and headliners absorb fluids quickly, so vehicles need a careful assessment. Our vehicle cleanup page explains what can and cannot be restored.

Who handles the scene before we arrive

Inside city limits, the city's police department generally responds. In unincorporated areas, the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office is generally the law enforcement agency. When a death is sudden or unexplained, the county medical examiner is also involved. Whichever agency responded, they need to release the property before cleanup can begin. If you aren't sure whether that has happened, ask the officer or investigator handling the case.

Travel from Nashville and scheduling

Murfreesboro is roughly 34 miles southeast of downtown Nashville by I-24. Smyrna and La Vergne are closer, and the rural southern and eastern parts of the county are farther. I-24 congestion is a real factor, so we confirm timing with you by phone rather than quoting an arrival time. Have the address, gate or lockbox details, and the name of whoever can authorize work ready when you call (615) 513-5112.

Questions people ask

Do you go out to Eagleville and the unincorporated parts of the county?

Yes. Eagleville, Christiana, Rockvale, Lascassas and other rural areas are covered. Longer drives can affect timing, which is why we set the schedule together on the phone.

Our home is only a few years old. Can the floors be cleaned instead of removed?

Sometimes. Sealed hard surfaces can often be cleaned and disinfected. Carpet, pad and OSB that have absorbed fluids usually cannot. We decide room by room during the assessment, and we tell you before removing anything.

I own a rental in Smyrna, but I live out of state. Can you work with me remotely?

Yes. Many owners arrange access through a property manager, neighbor or lockbox. We share photos and a written scope so you can approve the work without being on site.

Who do I ask about the scene release if it happened outside town?

Ask the agency that investigated. In unincorporated Rutherford County that is generally the sheriff's office. If the medical examiner was involved, the investigator can tell you when the property is clear.

A family member died in a home near Murfreesboro and wasn't found for several days. Is that something you handle?

Yes. Delayed discovery is one of the more common reasons families in the county call us. The longer a person goes unfound, the more likely it is that flooring, subfloor and sometimes drywall will need to come out, and that odor will need its source removed rather than masked. We explain each step before we do it. Our page on cleanup after an extended discovery describes the process in calm, non-graphic terms.

Can I pay a deposit online before you come out?

You can. The Order Online page takes a $2,000 initial deposit. It is not the final price, and it doesn't fix a start time. We still confirm the schedule with you directly.

Rutherford County, TN Biohazard Cleanup Coverage