# What is a perc test and do I need one before buying land in South Carolina?

Source: https://www.landxchange.com/community/due-diligence/what-is-a-perc-test-and-do-i-need-one-before-buying-land-in-south-carolina
Category: Due Diligence
Asked: 2026-07-24 | Replies: 1
License: CC BY 4.0 (quote with attribution and a link back)

This is one of the most frequent due diligence questions in the group, usually from a buyer who has heard the term but is not sure what it actually checks.

## Answer by LandXchange Team

A perc, short for percolation, test checks how well the soil on a parcel absorbs water. The result determines whether, and what type of, septic system can be installed on a site that does not have access to municipal sewer.

This matters most for buyers who plan to build without sewer access. If you are buying a parcel purely to hold, or one that already has sewer access, a perc test may be far less relevant to your decision.

A few things worth understanding:

- Failing a perc test does not automatically kill a deal. It can instead limit the type of septic system that will work, or shrink the area of the lot that is actually buildable.
- Results can vary by specific spot tested on a larger parcel, so a failed test in one location does not necessarily mean the entire parcel fails.
- This is generally something to have done, or at least request results for, during a due diligence period rather than assuming a favorable result.

Rather than guessing based on how the soil looks, or relying solely on general soil maps, get an actual perc test done by a qualified tester if building without sewer is part of your plan. Making an offer contingent on a satisfactory perc test result is a reasonable way to protect yourself if this has not already been done.