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Mechanics Lien Deadlines in South Carolina

In South Carolina, a lien statement must be served and filed within 90 days after the claimant last furnishes labor or materials, a notice of furnishing matters for lower tier claimants only on projects with a filed notice of project commencement, and suit plus a notice of pendency must be filed within 6 months after last furnishing.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

South Carolina at a glance

Deadline to record lien
90 days
Within 90 days after the claimant ceases to labor on or furnish labor or materials, served on the owner and filed with the register of deeds or clerk of court.
Preliminary notice required
Yes in some cases (lower tiers, notice of commencement)
A notice of furnishing to the contractor lets sub-subcontractors and suppliers claim beyond the amount owed to their subcontractor. This applies only when a notice of project commencement was filed.
Deadline to enforce lien
6 months after last furnishing
Suit must be commenced and a notice of pendency filed within 6 months after the claimant ceases to furnish labor or materials.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in South Carolina

How long does a contractor have to file a mechanics lien in South Carolina?

Deadline to record lien in South Carolina: 90 days. Within 90 days after the claimant ceases to labor on or furnish labor or materials, served on the owner and filed with the register of deeds or clerk of court.

Is a preliminary notice required before filing a mechanics lien in South Carolina?

Yes in some cases (lower tiers, notice of commencement). Preliminary notice required in South Carolina: yes in some cases (lower tiers, notice of commencement). A notice of furnishing to the contractor lets sub-subcontractors and suppliers claim beyond the amount owed to their subcontractor. This applies only when a notice of project commencement was filed.

How long do you have to foreclose a mechanics lien in South Carolina?

Deadline to enforce lien in South Carolina: 6 months after last furnishing. Suit must be commenced and a notice of pendency filed within 6 months after the claimant ceases to furnish labor or materials.

Where do the South Carolina mechanics lien deadlines come from?

The rules above come from S.C. Code 29-5-90, S.C. Code 29-5-20, S.C. Code 29-5-23 and S.C. Code 29-5-120. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

Deadlines often differ by role. The period for a general contractor who dealt directly with the owner can be different from the period for a subcontractor or supplier, and residential projects can have their own rules. Check which category fits before relying on a single number.

The event that starts the clock matters as much as the length of the period. Depending on the statute, it can be the last day labor or materials were furnished, completion of the project, or the recording of a notice of completion or commencement by the owner. Keeping dated records of the last work performed helps establish the start date.

Recording a lien is not the end of the process. If the debt is not paid, the claimant generally has to file a lawsuit to foreclose the lien within the enforcement period, or the lien expires. When the debt is paid, the owner will usually want a signed lien release recorded so the title is clear.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.