What is the deadline to file a mechanic’s lien in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, a contractor must serve on the owner and file with the register of deeds or clerk of court a sworn statement of the amount due within 90 days after last furnishing labor or materials, or the lien is dissolved. No preliminary notice is required of a contractor who contracted with the owner; filing a notice of project commencement is optional. A suit to enforce the lien must be started, and a notice of pendency of the action filed, within six months after the contractor last furnished labor or materials, or the lien is dissolved. A subcontractor or supplier often has different notice requirements and deadlines. This is S.C. Code §§ 29-5-10, 29-5-23, 29-5-90, 29-5-120.
| What | South Carolina |
|---|---|
| Deadline to file the lien | 90 days after last furnishing labor or materials |
| Who this deadline is for | A contractor hired directly by the owner |
Source
S.C. Code §§ 29-5-10, 29-5-23, 29-5-90, 29-5-120
Read the statute in the South Carolina Code of Laws (South Carolina Legislature): scstatehouse.gov.
Checked against the statute on November 13, 2026.
This is a summary of a published statute, not legal advice. Rules change, local ordinances can add to them, and the terms of a specific lease may differ. Check the citation and speak to a lawyer before acting.
How Seayora uses this rule
A contractor on Seayora keeps every job’s dates, its estimate, its invoices and its payments in one record, so the date work was last performed and the amount still owed are on file when a lien deadline is counted.
Guides on this rule
- Mechanic’s Lien Deadlines by State: When to File — Mechanic’s lien filing deadlines in all 50 states and DC, when each clock starts, and the notice a statute requires before filing.
Compare this rule in every state
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The same question in other states
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