We are a water/mold restoration company in California. We do light demo work, set containment, and run and monitor equipment. We do not modify anything structural and we do not do any construction to rebuild the home. I have been told by everyone in the industry that a contractor's license is not required. Is that the case, or is one required?

I would like to lien properties when we are having trouble getting paid for the work we do, but I obviously don't want to lien a property if we are required to have a license for what we do. I've been told we don't need a contractor's license for what we do in CA, but then I saw an old posting stating that a restoration company in Northern CA got fined for not having a license. Our work consists of light demolition to surface-level materials (drywall, base/trim, cabinets, flooring, countertops, etc.), disconnecting appliances and plumbing (ovens, dishwashers, refrigerators, toilets, sinks, washer/dryer, etc.), and other services like putting up plastic containment, running and monitoring drying equipment, etc. What we don't do is any work to rebuild the property, we do not re-connect appliances or plumbing, and we don't do any demo on anything structural (studs in walls, shear wall, roofs, etc.). Is a contractor's license required to do what we do in California?