Get paid for the work you’ve done
A mechanics’ lien is a powerful statutory device available to unpaid suppliers, subcontractors and contractors. Done properly, it places an encumbrance on the real property, often freezes construction financing or a sale, and provides an avenue to recover attorneys’ fees. In most scenarios these pressure points are greatly effective at bringing attention to your claim — and getting you paid.
Four steps, most done in one sitting
Answer 9 questions
Tell us about the property, the parties, and what you’re owed. Upload invoices and any lien waivers.
Choose & pay online
Self service for a flat $250, or full service for a flat $425 — paid securely through our payment portal when you submit.
Sign the verification
We email you the Statement of Account and Verification for notarized signature — with your complete lien package (self service) or while our attorneys prepare the lien and demand letters (full service).
It gets served & filed
Self service: you serve the owner, then file the lien, following our step-by-step instructions. Full service: we serve, file with the county, and send § 27-1-15 demand letters to the owner and any upstream contractor.
The 90-day rule
South Carolina law dictates that a mechanics’ lien must be served on the property owner and filed within 90 days of the lien claimant’s last date of work — and service must come before filing. S.C. Code Ann. § 29-5-90.
License number required
A contractor required to be licensed or registered must record its license or registration number on the lien document when it is filed. S.C. Code Ann. § 29-5-15(A).
Six months to foreclose
The lien is perfected by filing suit to foreclose within six months of the last date of work, with a timely lis pendens. S.C. Code Ann. §§ 29-5-120, 15-11-10.
Self service vs. full service
| What you get | Self Service — $250 | Full Service — $425 |
|---|---|---|
| Attorney-drafted lien package (Notice & Certificate, Statement of Account, Verification) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Step-by-step service & filing instructions | ✓ | Not needed — we handle it |
| Attorney arranges service on the owner (service first — required) | — you serve | ✓ (cost of service additional) |
| Attorney then files with the county Register of Deeds | — you file | ✓ |
| § 27-1-15 demand letters to owner / upstream contractor | — | ✓ |
| Deadline responsibility | Yours (90-day service & filing) | Ours to manage, attorney-verified |
| Best for | Experienced claimants comfortable at the courthouse | Everyone else — liens are strictly construed and small mistakes can void them |
When is my lien deadline?
Enter your last date of work on the project. South Carolina requires the lien to be served on the owner and filed within 90 days — and suit to foreclose within six months.
Why an attorney — and not an online lien service?
National lien websites will sell you a form. But South Carolina’s mechanics’ lien statute is strictly construed: the lien must be served before it is filed, your contractor license number must appear on the lien if you’re required to hold one (§ 29-5-15), and the wrong owner name, legal description, or amount claimed can void it — or worse, expose you to penalties for an excessive claim. A form service doesn’t check any of that, and it can’t send a § 27-1-15 demand letter that puts attorneys’ fees and interest on the table. Every lien we prepare is drafted by a South Carolina construction attorney — and if your deadline is inside 14 days, we prioritize your filing.
Read the full South Carolina Mechanics’ Lien Guide →
Working on a North Carolina project? NC Lien Guide →
Why liens get denied
Mechanics’ liens are statutory in nature and are generally “strictly construed” — the lien claimant is required to follow the letter of the law, and even small technical mistakes can result in a lien being denied. If you don’t routinely file mechanics’ liens, abiding by the statute can be a daunting task, and online lien services often don’t help you avoid the common perils. Our attorneys prepare and verify every lien — so you don’t become a cautionary tale.
This page provides general information about South Carolina law, not legal advice for your situation. Deadlines are computed from the facts you provide and verified by an attorney before filing.