Yes, I know what a mechanics lien is. Only the party in the contract can place one. The subcontractor is not a party in the contract between the general contractor and the homeowner. Since he’s not a party in that contract, he can’t place a lien. The subcontractor works for the general contractor. The general contractor pays him to do work for him. If the subcontractor doesn’t get payed, he must go after the general ocntractor. The homeowner owes the sub nothing, because the homeowner never made a contract with him. In this case the general already got payed.
Did you even read the California statement?
The home is ultimately responsible.