A specialty contractor completes $28,000 of plumbing work but is not paid. They file a mechanics lien for the full amount plus $3,200 in attorney fees. What is the maximum lien amount allowable under South Carolina law?
Correct Answer
B) $31,200
South Carolina allows reasonable attorney fees up to 15% of the contract amount. $28,000 + min($3,200, $4,200) = $28,000 + $3,200 = $31,200.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
South Carolina mechanics lien law allows recovery of the contract amount plus reasonable attorney fees, capped at 15% of the contract amount. 15% of $28,000 = $4,200. The actual attorney fees of $3,200 are less than $4,200, so the full $3,200 is recoverable. Total lien = $28,000 + $3,200 = $31,200.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: $34,400
$34,400 would represent $28,000 plus attorney fees exceeding the 15% cap, or an incorrect calculation. No basis exists for this amount under SC law.
Option C: $30,800
$30,800 does not correspond to any valid calculation — it neither represents the contract amount plus attorney fees, nor any recognized percentage cap.
Option D: $28,000
$28,000 represents only the base contract amount without attorney fees. While attorney fees must be reasonable and capped at 15%, the $3,200 in this scenario qualifies and is recoverable.
Memory Technique
SC lien = Contract + Attorney Fees (capped at 15%). Check: Is the fee requested less than 15%? If yes, include all of it. Here, $3,200 / $28,000 = 11.4%, which is under 15%, so the full amount is allowed.
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