How much deposit can a basement finishing contractor ask for in South Carolina?

South Carolina has no statutory cap on contractor deposits. No specific statutory cap on residential renovation deposits. For basement finishing, industry standard is 10% — meaning on a $37,882 project, expect $3,788 max. Any request above $5,682 is a red flag.

Industry standard for basement finishing: 10%. Long job (8–16 weeks). Industry standard: 10% deposit + progress draws — basement projects are the most common venue for contractor abandonment. Most legitimate South Carolina contractors will follow this norm regardless of whether the state has a statutory cap.

South Carolina doesn't have a statutory cap, but industry-standard deposits sit between 10–25% for most basement finishing projects. A request above 15% is a strong signal of cash-flow problems (the contractor is funding earlier jobs with your money) or outright fraud risk. Get 2 more written quotes before signing anything.

Best practice in South Carolina: 10% deposit at contract signing → milestone-based progress payments tied to inspectable phases (rough-in, mid-build, substantial completion) → 5–10% retention held until punchlist + final inspection sign-off. Never pay materials in full upfront; if your contractor goes under, the materials supplier owns those goods, not you. Pay via check or credit card — never wire transfer to a personal account.