Step 1 — Determine Whether a Notice of Furnishing Is Required
If you are not contracted directly with the owner, confirm that the Notice of Furnishing was served within 30 days of first work.
Step 2 — Prepare the South Carolina Mechanics Lien
South Carolina construction lien must include the following information:
Claimant’s legal name and address
Property owner’s name
Hiring party
Legal property description
Description of labor/materials
Amount unpaid
Last date of furnishing
Step 3 — File the Lien with the Clerk of Court
File the lien with the Clerk of Court in the county where the property is located.
Must be filed within 90 days of last furnishing
Filing in the wrong county invalidates the lien
You may file:
In person
By mail
Electronically (depends on county)
Step 4 — Serve the Recorded South Carolina Lien on the Owner
A copy of the filed lien must be served on the property owner, typically by:
Certified mail, or
Sheriff or personal service
Service should be completed promptly, and proof of service retained.
Step 5 — Enforce the South Carolina Mechanics Lien
Recording a mechanics lien in South Carolina creates a temporary legal claim against the property, but it does not guarantee payment on its own. If the debt remains unpaid, the lien claimant must take the next step and enforce the lien by filing a foreclosure lawsuit.
South Carolina law requires that enforcement occur: Within six (6) months from the date the lien is recorded.
Enforcement means filing a lawsuit in the appropriate South Carolina court asking the court to foreclose the lien and apply the value of the property toward satisfaction of the debt.