Hosting the Holidays in Nicholasville? Clear the Clutter First

Nicholasville has grown fast for years, and many of the newer homes in Jessamine County came with more garage and basement space than anyone knew what to do with. A few years later, that space is full of boxes, outgrown furniture, and things nobody has touched since move-in day.

Then the holidays show up, family is coming to stay, and the basement needs to be a guest room instead of a storage unit.

Big Blue Dumpster is a family-owned dumpster rental company serving Nicholasville and central Kentucky since 2022. We offer flat-rate pricing, quoted upfront, with delivery, pickup, and taxes included.

Ready to clear it out? Call or text (859) 544-4795, or reserve your dumpster online. You’ll know your price before the container shows up.

Why the Holidays Are the Right Time to Clear the Clutter

Most of us don’t clean out the garage because we feel like it. We do it because something forces the issue. The holidays are one of the best forcing events there is.

Guests need a place to sleep. The dining room table needs to come out from under a pile of paperwork. Decorations need to come down from the attic, and there’s nowhere to set the boxes because the hallway is already full. When a deadline like Thanksgiving or Christmas is on the calendar, a project that has been “someday” for three years suddenly becomes a project with a start date.

There’s a second reason that has nothing to do with company. Clearing space before the holidays means you start the new year with a house that works for you, not one that you keep working around. Doing it now, instead of in a rush in January, also means you get to enjoy the result while everyone is home.

A dumpster makes the whole job simpler. Instead of making trip after trip to the landfill, sorting loads into your own vehicle, and spreading the work over several weekends, you fill one container at your own pace and we haul it away.

Which Dumpster Size Do You Need?

Before the holiday rush hits, work out roughly how much you’re clearing. Here’s how our sizes usually match up.

• 15-yard ($420): One room, a closet purge, or a basement corner that got out of hand. Measures 14' x 7.5' x 4.5' and includes 1.5 tons.

• 20-yard ($475): A full basement or garage cleanout, and our most popular size. Measures 14' x 7.5' x 6' and includes 2 tons.

• 25-yard ($525): A whole-house declutter, like garage, attic, and closets in one project. Measures 16' x 8' x 6' and includes 2 tons.

• 30-yard ($600): Bigger jobs like multiple rooms, an estate cleanout, or years of stuff finally getting sorted. Measures 16' x 8' x 8' and includes 3 tons.

Not sure which one fits? Walk us through your project on the phone. We’ll point you to the size that actually fits, not the one that’s easiest to sell.

Need it quickly? Our Express rentals are for short projects. A 15-yard Express is $400 and a 20-yard Express is $450, each for 1 to 3 days, Monday through Friday only.

How to Estimate How Much You’re Clearing

Most people guess low. A basement full of stored items looks manageable until you start pulling things off shelves and out of corners. A few simple habits will give you a better estimate before you call.

• Walk the space with a notepad. Go room by room and write down the big items first, like furniture, mattresses, and appliances. Then note how many boxes, bins, and bags you see.

• Check the hidden spots. Look behind the water heater, under the stairs, in the attic, and along the back wall of the garage. These areas almost always hold more than you remember.

• Decide on the edge cases now. If there’s a half-finished project, an old workbench, or a broken piece of furniture you’ve been meaning to deal with, decide whether it’s going. It’s cheaper to include it in the first load than to order a second container.

• Think in projects, not rooms. One basement corner is a small job. A whole basement plus the garage is a different job. If your plan keeps growing as you walk around, size up.

If you land between two sizes, tell us. We would rather talk it through than have you run out of room halfway through the project.

What You Pay, Start to Finish

Every standard rental includes 7 days total (5 full-use days), delivery, pickup, taxes, and a set amount of weight in one flat rate. Here is everything else that can apply:

• Extra days: $15 per day if you need more time.

• Extra weight: $79 per ton over the included tonnage for your size.

• Overfilling: loads need to stay below the max-load line. If a container is overfilled, some of it may need to come out before we can haul it.

• Out-of-area delivery: projects outside our standard service area may carry an extra fee, which we’ll quote before you book.

That’s the full list. We’ll tell you about any charge that applies to your job before you commit, so the number you agree to is the number on your invoice.

A Simple Plan for Your Holiday Cleanout

A cleanout goes best when it has a rough schedule. Here’s a timeline that works for most households. Adjust it to fit how much time you have before guests arrive.

• Two to three weeks out: Walk the space, make your list, and call or text us to pick a size. Booking early gives you the most flexibility on delivery day.

• One to two weeks out: Start sorting. Set up three zones, one for keep, one for donate, and one for the dumpster. Take on the easiest category first so you build momentum.

• Delivery day: Delivery and pickup run Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm, and your driver will text when they’re on the way. If you’re planning a weekend cleanout, have the dumpster delivered the weekday before so it’s ready when you are.

• The week of the cleanout: Fill the dumpster steadily, and keep an eye on your rental days. If you’re running behind, call us and we’ll talk through extra days at $15 each.

• Pickup: When the rental period wraps up, we haul it away. Then you can start on the fun part, which is turning the space into something useful.

How to Sort Without Getting Stuck

The sorting is the hard part, not the hauling. Most projects stall when someone picks up an item and can’t decide what to do with it. A few ground rules keep things moving.

• Handle each item once. Pick it up, decide, and put it in a pile. Don’t set it back down “for later.”

• Use a simple test. If you haven’t used it in the last year, don’t love it, and wouldn’t buy it again today, it’s a good candidate to let go.

• Set aside the sentimental items. Put anything with memories attached in a separate box and come back to it after the easy decisions are done. Those choices belong to you and your family, and nobody should rush them.

• Donate what’s still useful. Furniture, kitchenware, and clothing in good shape can go to a local donation center. Set these aside early so they don’t get buried.

• Be honest about broken things. If it’s cracked, stained, or missing parts and you haven’t fixed it in two years, you probably won’t. That’s what the dumpster is for.

Keep an Eye on Weight

Space isn’t the only limit on a dumpster. Weight counts too, and each size includes a set amount of tonnage. Basement and garage cleanouts are mostly furniture, boxes, and household items, so most customers stay well within their included tons. Heavier materials add up faster.

• Furniture, mattresses, and household items: Bulky but usually light enough to fit within your included weight.

• Heavy items: Things like old workbenches, solid wood furniture, or stacks of wet cardboard weigh more than they look.

• Materials that need a phone call first: Concrete, rock, brick, and dirt are only accepted by special arrangement, so call us before loading anything like that.

If your project includes anything dense, mention it when you call and we’ll help you pick a size that makes sense.

Turning the Basement Into a Guest Room

For a lot of Nicholasville families, the goal isn’t just a cleaner basement. It’s a space where a visiting relative can actually sleep. Once the clutter is gone, a few small steps make the room feel ready.

• Start with the floor. A clear floor makes the room feel twice as big. Sweep or vacuum before you bring anything back in.

• Bring in only what the room needs. A bed, a lamp, a small table, and a place to hang clothes are enough. Resist the urge to move the stored boxes back in.

• Add the little comforts. Fresh sheets, an extra blanket, and a spot for a suitcase go a long way.

• Keep a small storage area. Some things do need to stay. Put them on shelves along one wall so the rest of the room stays open.

Why Nicholasville Neighbors Recommend Us

We haven’t built our business on advertising. People in Jessamine County pass our name along because we do what we say we’ll do.

• Family-owned and local. You talk to someone who actually knows the area.
• Flat-rate pricing, quoted upfront. No guesswork and no surprises.
• No hidden fees. Every possible charge is listed on this page.
• Careful with your property. We treat your driveway and yard the way we’d treat our own.

We Protect Your Driveway and Yard

The holidays are busy enough without a damaged driveway. Our drivers place the dumpster carefully and clean up around the container before they leave. Your property should look the way it did before we showed up, minus the clutter.

Where to Put the Dumpster

Placement matters for both loading and delivery. Most customers choose their driveway, since it keeps the dumpster close to the door and out of the way. A few things to think about before delivery day:

• Pick a spot close to where you’re working. If you’re clearing the garage, the driveway in front of it is ideal. For a basement, think about the shortest path from the door to the container.
• Leave room for the truck. The driver needs space to back in and set the container down, and clear space overhead when the truck tilts.
• Tell us about your ground. If part of your yard is soft or sloped, mention it when you book so we can plan for it.
• Check your neighborhood rules. If you live in a community with an HOA or limits on what can sit in the driveway, it’s worth a quick call before delivery day.

If you’re unsure where it should go, we’re happy to talk through your layout on the phone.

Dumpster Delivery in Nicholasville and Nearby

We deliver throughout central Kentucky, including Nicholasville, Richmond, Winchester, Georgetown, Paris, Midway, and Frankfort.

Same-day delivery is often available when our schedule allows. Call or text early in the day for the best chance.

Book a Week or Two Ahead

Booking early gives you time to sort through everything instead of rushing the night before guests arrive. The sooner you book, the sooner that basement stops being storage and starts being ready for company.

Call or text (859) 544-4795 to talk with a real person about your project, or book online anytime. You’ll know your price before the container ever shows up.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can I keep the dumpster?

Standard rentals include a 7-day rental period with 5 full-use days. Need more time? You can add days at a heavily discounted rate of $15 per day. Just get in touch with our team if you need to extend, or book additional days through our website when you reserve.

What size dumpster do I need for a basement or garage cleanout?

Most basement and garage cleanouts fit a 20-yard dumpster. For a single room or a closet purge, a 15-yard is usually enough. If you’re combining several spaces, call us and we’ll help you choose.

Is delivery and pickup included in the price?

Yes. Delivery, pickup, and taxes are all part of the flat rate.

How much weight is included?

It depends on the size: 1.5 tons for a 15-yard, 2 tons for a 20-yard or 25-yard, and 3 tons for a 30-yard. Additional weight is $79 per ton.

What can’t go in the dumpster?

Hazardous materials, paint, flammables, oils, aerosol cans, vehicle batteries, and propane tanks are not allowed. Concrete, rock, brick, and dirt are accepted only by special arrangement, so please call first.

Can you deliver the same day?

Often, yes, when our schedule allows. Call or text early in the day and we’ll tell you what’s possible.

What days do you deliver and pick up?

Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm.

Will the dumpster damage my driveway?

We place every dumpster carefully and clean up around the container before we leave. If part of your property is soft or sloped, tell us when you book.

Do you deliver outside Nicholasville?

Yes. We serve Lexington, Richmond, Winchester, Georgetown, Paris, Midway, and Frankfort as well.

What if I’m not sure which size to book?

Call us and describe the project. We’ll recommend the size that fits, even if that means a smaller one.

Should I book before or after I start sorting?

Before, if you can. Booking a week or two ahead gives you room to sort at a comfortable pace, and the dumpster is ready when you are.