I'm a material supplier on commercial project in CA and I missed the 20 day preliminary notice deadline, what steps can I take to collect the outstanding balance?
There are various arrows in your quiver to collect payment -- even if you do not have lien, stop payment notice, or payment bond rights (which is still possible in some cases even if you didn't timely serve a preliminary notice) -- you still have your contract rights. As a supplier, this may be seeking payment for breach of contract (i.e., breach of your payment terms and conditions of sale).