I was a subcontractor for a project under a GC who was under a 'Master GC / CM'. The GC for whom we worked did a horrible job. They were kicked off of the job. We requested to be released prior to that GC being fired by the Master GC / CM and were supposed to come to terms on our final payment. We're extended several hundred thousand just to get back what we spent prior to our exit. The Master GC / CM sent me a copy of the GC's bond and told me to make a claim against it.
For a claim of several hundred thousand dollars, it is well worth it to hire a construction attorney who can prepare your claim, follow-up on it and make sure you get paid timely. There is a deadline to file a claim against the bond which is likely 90 days from your last work but may be different depending on the type of bond involved. In addition, surety companies will often drag their feet and ask for more and more documentation which delays your getting paid. An experienced construction attorney can keep the surety honest and keep up the pressure to get you paid sooner rather than later. As they say, the squeeky wheel gets the grease.