Legal Question in Construction Law in California

The tiers are simply how many contracts are between you and the prime contractor on the job. The general contractor who has a contract with the owner is the "Prime Contractor." Anyone who has a subcontract directly with the prime contractor is a "first tier" subcontractor. A subcontractor or supplier to a first tier subcontractor is a second tier subcontractor, and so forth down the line if there are more. The tiers only really have relevance, however, in whether you are a first tier or lower tier subcontractor or supplier, because in some but not all cases there are differences in notice requirements for second tier and below, versus first tier, in order to preserve lien, bond claim, and stop notice rights. There is no cut-off at any tier, unless you fail to follow the notice requirements for your tier.