Unpaid on a Lowcountry job? LevelSet Collections serves and records Charleston County mechanics liens for contractors, subcontractors and suppliers on jobs in Charleston, North Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Summerville, James Island, Folly Beach and Isle of Palms. We have filed more than 1,100 liens since 2020, with one all-inclusive price for the whole Charleston filing.
Quick answer: A Charleston County mechanics lien is a statement of account served on the owner and recorded with the Register of Deeds in the O.T. Wallace County Office Building, 101 Meeting Street, Suite 200. The office is open until 5, but walk-in documents aren’t recorded after 4:30 p.m. You have 90 days from your last work. See the full South Carolina deadlines and statutes.
Where Charleston County liens are recorded
Charleston County Register of Deeds Karen Hollings records land titles, liens and other property documents from Suite 200 of the O.T. Wallace County Office Building, 101 Meeting Street, Charleston. The office is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, but it doesn’t record walk-in documents after 4:30 p.m.
The ROD’s Day Book lists recordings with the date and time, the firm names and the instrument type, and shows recording from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. As of November 3, 2025, the Day Book no longer shows earlier recordings. We check it to confirm a lien has actually recorded, and record well ahead of day 90.
Records online and finding the owner
The Charleston County ROD has deed and mortgage images online from October 1994 forward and index data back to 1978, so most vesting deeds can be pulled without a trip downtown. Older instruments are in the office’s record books and microfilm.
For the owner and parcel we use the Auditor’s Property Record Cards Search, which takes a name, an address or the 10-digit TMS number, then match the deed before drafting.
Where we file across Charleston County
Charleston County’s municipalities include Charleston, North Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Summerville, Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, James Island, Hollywood, Ravenel, Awendaw, McClellanville, Meggett, Rockville, Seabrook and Lincolnville. We confirm the TMS is a Charleston County parcel before serving the owner.
Charleston County work runs from historic renovations on the peninsula to new homes in Mt. Pleasant and on the islands and industrial and port-related jobs in North Charleston. On May 26, 2026, county council passed first reading of a proposed 2026 Transportation Sales Tax referendum projected to raise about $4.25 billion over 25 years, including $2.7 billion for roadway infrastructure, if voters approve it. Public roads and buildings are bonded work, not lienable.
What sinks liens in Charleston County
- Walking in at 4:45. The Register of Deeds doesn’t record walk-in documents after 4:30 p.m.
- The wrong TMS. A Lowcountry mailing address doesn’t prove the parcel is in Charleston County.
- A missing notice of furnishing. If a Notice of Project Commencement was filed, sub-subs and suppliers to subs send the GC a notice of furnishing, or their lien is capped.
- Service that misses the 90 days. The owner has to be served, not just the statement recorded, within 90 days of your last work.
- Suing on the wrong clock. Suit is due 6 months after your last work. See the South Carolina deadline table.
How LevelSet handles a Charleston County lien
- Intake. You tell us the job address, the full contract chain, your itemized account, your last day of work and whether a Notice of Project Commencement was posted.
- Statutory form. We pull the TMS from the Auditor’s Property Record Cards Search, the deed from the ROD and prepare the statement of account.
- Notarization. Matt Rush signs the statement of account as agent for the claimant in front of a notary.
- Recording. We record it with the Charleston County Register of Deeds on Meeting Street and confirm it on the Day Book.
- Service. The owner is served within the 90 days, and the general contractor gets a copy.
Example: a Charleston County deadline walk-through
Example: A tile supplier selling to a flooring sub makes its last delivery to a Mt. Pleasant condominium on October 9, on a project with a posted Notice of Project Commencement. It sent the general contractor a notice of furnishing by certified mail when it started. The owner has to be served and the statement of account recorded by January 7 (90 days), and suit filed by April 9.
Too late for a Charleston County lien?
Missing the 90 days ends the lien, not the debt. We pursue unpaid Charleston County construction invoices through construction collections on contingency, 10% to 33%; no collection, no fee.
Other South Carolina counties we file in
Greenville County · Richland County
Our South Carolina mechanics lien page has every South Carolina notice, filing and suit deadline with statute citations. We handle liens in every South Carolina county.
Pricing
Liens $199 to $500, including recording fees, notarizing and serving. Pre-lien notices $100. Typical turnaround 2 business days. No minimum. Call (469) 694-8003, Monday through Friday, 8am to 7pm.
Frequently asked questions
Where do you file a Charleston County mechanics lien?
With the Charleston County Register of Deeds, O.T. Wallace County Office Building, 101 Meeting Street, Suite 200, Charleston, SC 29401.
What time does the Charleston County ROD stop recording walk-ins?
The office is open until 5 p.m., but it doesn’t record walk-in documents after 4:30 p.m.
How far back are Charleston County deed images online?
Deed and mortgage images are online from October 1994, and index data goes back to 1978.
How do you look up a Charleston County TMS number?
Through the Auditor’s Property Record Cards Search, by owner name, address or the 10-digit TMS.
This page is general information, not legal advice. LevelSet Collections is not a law firm; we prepare and file liens and notices as agent for the claimant. Deadlines change and depend on the facts of your job. We'll check your dates against the statute before filing. Lien laws are constantly changing. Contact us for the most up-to-date information.
Owed money on a Charleston County job?
Liens $199 to $500 with service, recording and notarizing included. Recorded on Meeting Street, usually in 2 business days. Call (469) 694-8003.
