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South Carolina mechanics lienDeadlines and how to file

The lien deadline is 90 days after you stop furnishing labor or materials¹; the deadline to sue is 6 months after you stop furnishing labor or materials¹.

Your South Carolina lien deadlines

Enter your dates. Calendar days unless a line says otherwise.

Last day you furnished labor or materials

Deadlines that fall on a weekend or holiday may move; the statute linked on each line controls.

South Carolina lien timeline

First day of work
your workany lengthLast day of work
90 daysafter last workServe and file the lien statement¹
6 monthsafter last workSue to enforce¹

Calendar days unless noted. The first rule listed for each step; the calculator applies the others.

How many days do you have to file a mechanics lien in South Carolina?

To keep a lien you must, within 90 days after you stop furnishing labor or materials, serve a sworn statement of the amount due (with a property description and the owner's name) on the owner and file it with the register of deeds or clerk of court in the county where the property is.¹ S.C. Code 29-5-90

Do you need a preliminary notice in South Carolina?

A subcontractor, sub-subcontractor or supplier must give the owner written notice of the labor or materials furnished and their amount or value for the lien to attach against the owner's property, and a lien never exceeds what the owner still owes on the contract price. A sub-subcontractor or supplier who sends the contractor a notice by certified or registered mail (naming the claimant, who hired them, and the labor or materials and price) can claim more than the contractor owes the subcontractor. If the contractor filed a notice of project commencement with the county within 15 days of starting work, that notice requirement applies to sub-subcontractors and suppliers.¹ S.C. Code 29-5-20, 29-5-23 and 29-5-40

How long is a mechanics lien good for in South Carolina?

A lien is dissolved unless you file suit to enforce it, and file notice that the suit is pending, within 6 months after you stop furnishing labor or materials.¹ S.C. Code 29-5-120

Who can file a mechanics lien in South Carolina?

Anyone owed for labor or for materials actually used to build, alter or repair a building or structure has lien rights, including laborers, mechanics, subcontractors, suppliers, and those who prepare plans or site work, when the work was authorized by the owner.¹ S.C. Code 29-5-10 and 29-5-20

Does a South Carolina lien claim have to be notarized?

The lien statement must be sworn to by the person claiming the lien or by someone on their behalf.¹ S.C. Code 29-5-90

What about public jobs in South Carolina?

On a bonded contract, anyone who furnished labor, material or rental equipment and has not been paid within 90 days after last furnishing may sue on the payment bond. A remote claimant must first give written notice to the bonded contractor by certified or registered mail within 90 days after last furnishing.¹ S.C. Code 29-5-440

How do you file a mechanics lien in South Carolina?

Serve and file the lien statement: due 90 days after you stop furnishing labor or materials. S.C. Code 29-5-90
Sue to enforce: due 6 months after you stop furnishing labor or materials. S.C. Code 29-5-120 File notice that the suit is pending in the same period.

Each line restates the statute cited next to it. Check the statute text before you file.

Sources

S.C. Code 29-5-90 (scstatehouse.gov, 2026-10-27)