Your CSLB claim may be strengthened by the fact that your contractor recorded a patently late mechanics lien. I think you best course of action...

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Yes, there is a procedure to file a Petition to Release that is governed by the California Civil Code. It is generally fairly straightforward for...

You can certainly try to recover your attorney's fees since the contractor did not timely respond to your petition. Attorney's fees, however, are...

Do I pay a subcontractor to avoid him filing a mechanical lien, and then sue him for unfinished work? Or, sue him but not pay?

There doesn’t seem any reason for you to pay your subcontractor given your dispute. You can always bond around the lien, if necessary, or possibly...

I’ve written extensively over the years about negotiating partial payments and “payment in full” accord and satisfaction language, and the conflict...

Do you have to file a Preliminary Notice in CA?

There is no way to "get around it." All subcontractors are REQUIRED to serve preliminary notices on jobs over $400. That is required by the Civil...

Sounds like it is time to record a mechanics lien as soon as possible on both projects, assuming you properly and timely served a preliminary...

No he cannot. His laborers / workers might be able to answer a lien claim, but your unlicensed contractor may not properly maintain a claim. In...

Your GC cannot release claims on behalf of the subs. Assuming you have verified your GC was a properly licensed contractor at all times during...

Procedure to put a contractor lien on a residential home from lack of payment owed?

Assuming you are a properly licensed contractor, you can record your mechanics lien within 90 days from "completion" of your work. There are many...