I’m owner of painting business, BL Painting Co. I was hired as a subcontractor by a general contractor to perform work on private property, in San Jose, CA. My job was completed with a full satisfaction of home owner in December 2019. GC and homeowner got into some sort of conflict and GC abandoned the project and has stopped responding on any attempts of contacts either with home owners, or me, or mediation department conducted by CSLB. Unfortunately there is a large amount of unpaid balance for the job I have provided for all labor and materials. Home owner knew about problems with payments going through GC to sub-contractor , even though he insisted to keep finishing his project saying that he would have taken care himself if any unpaid balance will occur, now he is not willing to do that. I’m assuming I have no legal rights to file mechanics lien on the property since I haven’t provided 20 days preliminary notice in time. I have a sign contract with GC, ( not with home owner), Most of the conversation I have in writing (text messages) between Me and Home Owner and also Me - GC - Home Owner, where GC and home owner insist to keep finishing the project, all this conversations I can also provide. Can I sue a home owner in Small Claims Court for up to $10.000 even if unpaid balance is much larger? Thank you, Bartosz Lewandowski