South Carolina roofing contract rules
What a South Carolina roofing contract must say, how long you can back out, how much a roofer may ask up front, when a lien can follow and what a roofer may do about your insurance claim. Each rule is quoted from the statute or agency rule. Checked 2026-10-09.
Short answer: You can cancel a South Carolina sale signed at your home until midnight of the third business day after you sign (3 business days, S.C. Code §37-2-502(1)). The federal rule adds 3 business days for sales made at your home (16 CFR 429). If your insurer denies the roof claim, you can cancel the roofing contract until midnight of the fifth business day after you get the denial (S.C. Code §40-59-25(A)(1)). On an insurance-paid roofing job the contractor may not ask you for any payment until the five-day cancel period is over (S.C. Code §40-59-25(C)). A contractor must serve and file its lien statement within 90 days after it stops working or supplying materials (S.C. Code §29-5-90). 15 rules on this page are quoted from official statutes, agency rules or regulator pages; 4 more are marked not confirmed.
State cancel period
3 business days
S.C. Code §37-2-502(1)
Deposit rule
5 business days
S.C. Code §40-59-25(C)
Lien filing deadline
90 days
S.C. Code §29-5-90
Written contract
Rule quoted
S.C. Code §37-2-503(1)
Find your last day to cancel
Only the signing date is needed for the cancel dates. Add the other dates when they happen and the rules that start from them get a calendar day too. Counting starts the day after the date you enter.
Enter the signing date to see your dates.
Days are counted the way each rule defines them: federal “business days” skip Sundays and federal holidays and count Saturdays; where a state rule defines business days as Monday to Friday we skip Saturdays and Sundays; where a rule says business days without defining them, or just says “days”, we count every calendar day and show the earliest possible date. State holidays are not subtracted, so a real deadline can fall a day or two later than shown. If the last day lands on a weekend, do not wait for it. General information from public rules, not legal advice.
South Carolina against the other states
Calendar-day equivalents are used for the bars only (business days scaled by 7/5, months by 30, years by 365); the exact unit is in the tables.
Before you sign: South Carolina checklist
Every line below comes from a rule on this page. Tick a line as you check it.
South Carolina: written contract
| Rule | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|
| The seller must have you sign a written agreement that shows the signing date and a 'Buyer's Right to Cancel' statement. The seller must give you a copy when you sign. |
S.C. Code §37-2-503(1) Covers: Home solicitation sales. |
South Carolina: right to cancel
The federal rule (16 CFR §429.1(a)) gives 3 business days for a sale made at your home. Rules of South Carolina below are added to it.
| Rule | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|
| You can cancel a South Carolina sale signed at your home until midnight of the third business day after you sign. The statute does not define 'business day' in this part, so the calculator treats Sunday as the only skipped weekday. Confirm the date in writing with the seller. |
3 business days counted from the day you sign |
S.C. Code §37-2-502(1) Covers: A consumer credit sale of goods or services solicited and signed at a residence. Not a sale after talks at a fixed business location, or one covered by the federal Truth in Lending right to rescind. |
| Which South Carolina sales the 3-day right covers. Because the statute covers credit sales, a cash roofing deal at your door is covered by the federal FTC 3-day rule instead. |
S.C. Code §37-2-501 Covers: Consumer credit sales at a residence. | |
| How you cancel: in writing, and mail counts when you drop it in a mailbox. The notice need not take a particular form (§37-2-502(4)). |
S.C. Code §37-2-502(2)-(4) Covers: Home solicitation sales. | |
| The seller must return your payments within ten days after you cancel. | 10 days counted from the day the notice is given |
S.C. Code §37-2-504(1) Covers: Home solicitation sales. |
| If you cancel a home solicitation sale, the seller gets no pay for services performed before then. | S.C. Code §37-2-505(3) Covers: Home solicitation sales. | |
| If your insurer denies the roof claim, you can cancel the roofing contract until midnight of the fifth business day after you get the denial. Covers licensed residential builders, registered specialty contractors and unlicensed people doing that work. Mail counts as sent when deposited, postage prepaid (§40-59-25(A)(3)). |
5 business days counted from the day the insurer denies the claim |
S.C. Code §40-59-25(A)(1) Covers: A written contract for goods or services related to a roofing system, paid from a property and casualty insurance policy, where the insurer says in writing that all or part of the claim or contract is not covered. |
| The contractor must attach a detachable 'Notice of Cancellation' form in duplicate before the contract is signed. | S.C. Code §40-59-25(B)(2) Covers: Roofing contracts paid from a property insurance policy. |
South Carolina: deposits and down payments
| Rule | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|
| On an insurance-paid roofing job the contractor may not ask you for any payment until the five-day cancel period is over. The exception is emergency services you acknowledged in writing as needed to prevent damage. |
5 business days counted from the date the rule names |
S.C. Code §40-59-25(C) Covers: Builders and contractors on roofing jobs payable from insurance proceeds. |
South Carolina: Mechanic's lien
| Rule | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|
| A contractor must serve and file its lien statement within 90 days after it stops working or supplying materials. The statement is filed with the register of deeds or clerk of court of the county. |
90 days counted from the last day of work or delivery of materials |
S.C. Code §29-5-90 Covers: Mechanics' liens under chapter 5, title 29. |
| The lien is dissolved unless suit is filed within six months after the work stops. | 6 months counted from the last day of work or delivery of materials |
S.C. Code §29-5-120(A) Covers: Mechanics' liens under chapter 5, title 29. |
| An unlicensed residential builder or specialty contractor may not file a mechanic's lien or sue to enforce the contract. This is a lien rule, not the licence threshold. See the licensing data for who must register. |
S.C. Code §40-59-30(B) Covers: Residential building and residential specialty contracting. |
South Carolina: insurance claims and your roofer
| Rule | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|
| A builder or contractor may not represent or negotiate your roof insurance claim, or advertise that it will. You may still ask a contractor to evaluate the roof and use that evaluation yourself (§40-59-25(D)(2)). |
S.C. Code §40-59-25(D)(1) Covers: Residential real estate roof claims. | |
| A builder or contractor may not advertise or promise to pay or rebate any part of your deductible; doing so is a misdemeanor. A violation is also grounds to suspend or revoke the licence. |
S.C. Code §40-59-25(E) Covers: Builders and contractors under chapter 59. |
The insurer’s own deadlines are on the South Carolina claim deadlines page.
South Carolina: after a disaster
| Rule | Number | Source |
|---|---|---|
| After a declared emergency or disaster, selling a commodity at an unconscionable price in the affected area is unlawful. 'Commodity' includes goods, services, materials and lumber needed because of the emergency. |
S.C. Code §39-5-145(B)(1) Covers: The area of the Governor's emergency declaration; also applies after a Presidential disaster declaration or an Attorney General notice (§39-5-145(C)-(D)). |
South Carolina roofing license
S.C. Code Title 40, Chapter 59 lists roofers among residential specialty contractors regulated by the Residential Builders Commission. Source, checked 2026-10-07.
What we could not confirm in South Carolina
- A rule that every South Carolina roofing contract be written: not confirmed. Not found in the chapters read (Title 37 ch. 2 part 5, Title 40 ch. 59, Title 29 ch. 5). Only home-solicitation and insurance-denial rules require writings.
- A cap on a roofing deposit: not confirmed. No fixed cap found in the chapters read.
- Assignment of insurance benefits to a roofer: not confirmed. No South Carolina statute on assignment of property-claim benefits was found in Title 40 ch. 59 or Title 38 ch. 59.
- Special roofing contract rules after a declared disaster: not confirmed. None found beyond the price gouging law.
South Carolina contract questions
- How long can I cancel a roofing contract in South Carolina?
- S.C. Code §37-2-502(1): 3 business days, counted from the day you sign. The federal rule gives 3 business days for sales made at your home. The median across the 25 of 27 states with a confirmed number is about 4 calendar days (business days scaled by 7/5). The statute does not define 'business day' in this part, so the calculator treats Sunday as the only skipped weekday. Confirm the date in writing with the seller.
- Can I cancel if my South Carolina insurer denies the roof claim?
- S.C. Code §40-59-25(A)(1): If your insurer denies the roof claim, you can cancel the roofing contract until midnight of the fifth business day after you get the denial. 5 business days, counted from the day the insurer denies the claim. Covers licensed residential builders, registered specialty contractors and unlicensed people doing that work. Mail counts as sent when deposited, postage prepaid (§40-59-25(A)(3)).
- What are the deposit rules for a roofing job in South Carolina?
- S.C. Code §40-59-25(C): On an insurance-paid roofing job the contractor may not ask you for any payment until the five-day cancel period is over. The exception is emergency services you acknowledged in writing as needed to prevent damage.
- What is a mechanic's lien on a house in South Carolina?
- S.C. Code §29-5-90: A contractor must serve and file its lien statement within 90 days after it stops working or supplying materials. The statement is filed with the register of deeds or clerk of court of the county.
- Can a roofer in South Carolina handle my insurance claim for me?
- S.C. Code §40-59-25(D)(1): A builder or contractor may not represent or negotiate your roof insurance claim, or advertise that it will. You may still ask a contractor to evaluate the roof and use that evaluation yourself (§40-59-25(D)(2)).
- Can a roofer in South Carolina waive my insurance deductible?
- S.C. Code §40-59-25(E): A builder or contractor may not advertise or promise to pay or rebate any part of your deductible; doing so is a misdemeanor. A violation is also grounds to suspend or revoke the licence.
Why contracts get signed fast after a South Carolina hailstorm
NOAA lists 6 South Carolina cities in our data with 134 city-days of hail at 1 inch or more since 2014; the largest stone was 3.0 inches and the busiest month is May.
South Carolina cities we cover
| City | Cost | Roofers |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia | Roof age | Roofers in Columbia |
| Florence | Roof age | Roofers in Florence |
| Greenville | Roof age | Roofers in Greenville |
| Myrtle Beach | Roof age | Roofers in Myrtle Beach |
| Rock Hill | Roof age | Roofers in Rock Hill |
| Spartanburg | Roof age | Roofers in Spartanburg |
Where each South Carolina rule comes from
| Rule | Source | Read |
|---|---|---|
| Written contract: no fixed number The seller must have you sign a written agreement that shows the signing date and a 'Buyer's Right to Cancel' statement. |
S.C. Code §37-2-503(1) statute text Quote“the seller shall present to the buyer and obtain his signature to a written agreement or offer to purchase that designates as the date of the transaction the date on which the buyer actually signs and contains a statement of the buyer’s rights” |
2026-10-09 official page |
| Right to cancel: 3 business days You can cancel a South Carolina sale signed at your home until midnight of the third business day after you sign. |
S.C. Code §37-2-502(1) statute text Quote“the buyer may cancel a home solicitation sale until midnight of the third business day after the day on which the buyer signs an agreement or offer to purchase which complies with this part.” |
2026-10-09 official page |
| Right to cancel: no fixed number Which South Carolina sales the 3-day right covers. |
S.C. Code §37-2-501 statute text Quote““Home solicitation sale” means a consumer credit sale of goods or services in which the seller or a person acting for him personally solicits the sale, and the buyer’s agreement or offer to purchase is given to the seller or a person acting for him, at a residence.” |
2026-10-09 official page |
| Right to cancel: no fixed number How you cancel: in writing, and mail counts when you drop it in a mailbox. |
S.C. Code §37-2-502(2)-(4) statute text Quote“Cancellation occurs when the buyer gives written notice of cancellation to the seller at the address stated in the agreement or offer to purchase. (3) Notice of cancellation, if given by mail, is given when it is properly addressed with postage prepaid and deposited in a mailbox.” |
2026-10-09 official page |
| Right to cancel: 10 days The seller must return your payments within ten days after you cancel. |
S.C. Code §37-2-504(1) statute text Quote“Within ten days after a notice of cancellation has been received by the seller or an offer to purchase has been otherwise revoked, the seller shall tender to the buyer any payments made by the buyer” |
2026-10-09 official page |
| Right to cancel: no fixed number If you cancel a home solicitation sale, the seller gets no pay for services performed before then. |
S.C. Code §37-2-505(3) statute text Quote“If a home solicitation sale is cancelled, the seller is not entitled to compensation for any services he performed pursuant to it.” |
2026-10-09 official page |
| Right to cancel: 5 business days If your insurer denies the roof claim, you can cancel the roofing contract until midnight of the fifth business day after you get the denial. |
S.C. Code §40-59-25(A)(1) statute text Quote“may cancel the contract prior to midnight on the fifth business day after the insured has received the written notice of the denial of coverage.” |
2026-10-09 official page |
| Right to cancel: no fixed number The contractor must attach a detachable 'Notice of Cancellation' form in duplicate before the contract is signed. |
S.C. Code §40-59-25(B)(2) statute text Quote“provide each insured a fully completed form, in duplicate, prominently captioned “NOTICE OF CANCELLATION”, which must be attached to the contract but easily detachable” |
2026-10-09 official page |
| Deposits and down payments: 5 business days On an insurance-paid roofing job the contractor may not ask you for any payment until the five-day cancel period is over. |
S.C. Code §40-59-25(C) statute text Quote“In circumstances in which payment may be made from the proceeds of a property and casualty insurance policy, a builder or contractor shall not require any payments from an insured until the five-day cancellation period has expired.” |
2026-10-09 official page |
| Mechanic's lien: 90 days A contractor must serve and file its lien statement within 90 days after it stops working or supplying materials. |
S.C. Code §29-5-90 statute text Quote“Such a lien shall be dissolved unless the person desiring to avail himself thereof, within ninety days after he ceases to labor on or furnish labor or materials for such building or structure, serves upon the owner” |
2026-10-09 official page |
| Mechanic's lien: 6 months The lien is dissolved unless suit is filed within six months after the work stops. |
S.C. Code §29-5-120(A) statute text Quote“Unless a suit for enforcing the lien is commenced and notice of pendency of the action is filed within six months after the person desiring to avail himself of it ceases to labor on or furnish labor or material for the building or structure, the lien must be dissolved.” |
2026-10-09 official page |
| Mechanic's lien: no fixed number An unlicensed residential builder or specialty contractor may not file a mechanic's lien or sue to enforce the contract. |
S.C. Code §40-59-30(B) statute text Quote“a person or firm who first has not procured a license or registered with the commission and is required to do so by law may not file a mechanics' lien or bring an action at law or in equity to enforce the provisions of a contract for residential building or residential specialty contracting” |
2026-10-09 official page |
| Insurance claims and your roofer: no fixed number A builder or contractor may not represent or negotiate your roof insurance claim, or advertise that it will. |
S.C. Code §40-59-25(D)(1) statute text Quote“A builder or contractor shall not represent or negotiate, or offer or advertise to represent or negotiate, on behalf of an owner or possessor of residential real estate on any insurance claim in connection with the repair or replacement of roof systems.” |
2026-10-09 official page |
| Insurance claims and your roofer: no fixed number A builder or contractor may not advertise or promise to pay or rebate any part of your deductible; doing so is a misdemeanor. |
S.C. Code §40-59-25(E) statute text Quote“A builder or contractor shall not advertise or promise to pay or rebate all or any portion of any insurance deductible as an inducement to the sale of goods or services.” |
2026-10-09 official page |
| After a disaster: no fixed number After a declared emergency or disaster, selling a commodity at an unconscionable price in the affected area is unlawful. |
S.C. Code §39-5-145(B)(1) statute text Quote“Upon a declaration of a state of emergency by the Governor, it is unlawful and a violation of this article for a person or his agent or employee to: (a) rent or sell or offer to rent or sell a commodity at an unconscionable price within the area for which the state of emergency is declared” |
2026-10-09 official page |
Nearby states
Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Alabama or all states.
Related: South Carolina claim deadlines, South Carolina roofers, insurer roof-age rules.