# Act One - Marble and Tile

**Trade:** Flooring · **Phone:** (617) 221-4002 · **Website:** http://cleanpolishmarblegraniteboston.com/ · **Languages:** English, Spanish

**Rating: 5.0/5** (high confidence) — from 97 reviews across 10 sources.
100% of sentiment-scored reviews read net-positive. Last 6 months: 12 reviews, 0 negative.

## The honest read

Act One - Marble and Tile is a Watertown business built around one idea: a dull, etched, or badly grouted stone or tile surface can usually be brought back rather than torn out. Owner Clay Carson, who says he has spent 20 years in tile and stone care, runs the company himself across Eastern Massachusetts, and lists IICRC certification in stone, masonry and ceramic tile alongside training under stone restorer Maurizio Bertolli.

The pattern across years of reviews is remarkably consistent. In a 2024 review, a homeowner said a previous contractor had failed to satisfactorily polish 22-year-old marble bathroom floors before this company redid the work; in a 2025 review, another described a Terra Cotta kitchen floor installed in 1983 restored with what they called an amazing level of craft. Marble counters, shower walls, and kitchen and bathroom floors decades old come up again and again, regrouted, honed, and polished back to something close to new rather than replaced. Reviewers consistently single out Clay's own communication — quick, photo-based quotes, clear explanations of the process, and accommodating scheduling — as much as the finished surface itself.

The ratings back up the anecdotes: 4.9 stars on Google from 85 ratings, matching figures on Angi and HomeAdvisor from 75 ratings each, and a perfect 5.0 on Houzz. The Better Business Bureau lists the company as accredited with an A+ grade. The written record runs from 2019 through today, and nothing in it describes a missed appointment, a pricing dispute, or unfinished work.

There isn't much to flag before calling. Because the business restores existing marble, granite, tile, and concrete surfaces rather than doing new installation or full remodels, it's worth confirming upfront whether a given project actually needs replacement work instead of restoration.

For anyone with stone or tile that has lost its shine rather than needing to be ripped out, this looks like the right call — several reviewers across different years say they'd hire Clay again for exactly that reason.

**Strengths:**
- Marble and tile restoration — repeated praise for reviving decades-old surfaces
- Owner-operator Clay Carson — reviewers name him directly across years
- Consistent top ratings — 4.9 to 5.0 stars across Google, Angi, HomeAdvisor and Houzz
- Clear communication — reviewers cite prompt quotes and photo-based estimates

## Claims & citations

Every claim below is backed by real evidence rows — uncited claims are dropped in code before publication.

- Owner-operated by Clay Carson out of Watertown, who says he has spent 20 years in tile and stone care and works across Eastern Massachusetts. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Official Website](http://cleanpolishmarblegraniteboston.com) — “Act One - Marble and Tile is a Watertown, MA stone and tile restoration company owned and operated by Clay Carson, offering marble/granite p…”
  - [Official Website](http://cleanpolishmarblegraniteboston.com) — “Ownership (self-reported): Owner-operated by Clay Carson, a 20-year veteran of the tile and stone care business.”
- States IICRC certification in stone, masonry and ceramic tile, Construction Specifications Institute CDT training, and Ceramic Tile Education Foundation coursework, plus training under stone restorer Maurizio Bertolli. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Official Website](http://cleanpolishmarblegraniteboston.com) — “Stated certification/affiliation: IICRC certification in Stone, Masonry and Ceramic Tile (Clay Carson)”
  - [Official Website](http://cleanpolishmarblegraniteboston.com) — “Stated certification/affiliation: CDT (Construction Documents Technologist), Construction Specifications Institute”
  - [Official Website](http://cleanpolishmarblegraniteboston.com) — “Stated certification/affiliation: Ceramic Tile Education Foundation training”
  - [Official Website](http://cleanpolishmarblegraniteboston.com) — “Stated certification/affiliation: Trained under Maurizio Bertolli / MB Stone Care in natural stone restoration”
- Reviews from 2019 through 2026 are detailed and specific rather than generic, and none in the written record describe a negative experience. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2twWE4yMVNOR1p1VGxKMk5rRk9lRGxYTTFKbGQxRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xa0af9aeb94a600da!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOkpXN21SNGZuTlJ2NkFOeDlXM1Jld1E%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Clay does beautiful work - my marble counters were completely restored. But just as important was the fact that Clay communicated quickly…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT25OMllsVkhSbkZWVTFRMlRWQlhSVGR2V0VoaE5FRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xa0af9aeb94a600da!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOnN2YlVHRnFVU1Q2TVBXRTdvWEhhNEE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Clay & Ed from Act One transformed my kitchen and bathroom. They honed marble countertops in my kitchen and re-grouted a large bathroom s…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2xaaGNsUmxTV1pWYW1Sb01YZzNiRUZUZFVKYWRYYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xa0af9aeb94a600da!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOlZhclRlSWZVamRoMXg3bEFTdUJadXc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ The floors in my new house had obviously very dirty grout. Well…now they are so clean, I’m scared to walk on them lest I dirty them all u…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURYLXVqaUtREAE!2m1!1s0x0:0xa0af9aeb94a600da!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDX-ujiKQ%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Clay & John of Act One did an excellent job refinishing & sealing three of my marble bathroom floors and a sink top. They haven’t been po…”
- A 2024 review said a previous contractor had failed to satisfactorily polish 22-year-old marble bathroom floors before this company redid the work. _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURYLXVqaUtREAE!2m1!1s0x0:0xa0af9aeb94a600da!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgIDX-ujiKQ%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Clay & John of Act One did an excellent job refinishing & sealing three of my marble bathroom floors and a sink top. They haven’t been po…”
- A 2025 review credited the team with restoring a Terra Cotta kitchen floor installed in 1983, calling the craftsmanship on the restoration amazing. _(confidence: medium)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT210VU9FZGplVWxKVld0aGVUbGlNVFp3VUhSRVVYYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xa0af9aeb94a600da!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOmtUOEdjeUlJVWtheTliMTZwUHREUXc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Act One over delivered on restoring a Terra Cotta kitchen floor installed 1983 in our South End condominium. Not only was Act One super w…”
- Reviewers repeatedly credit prompt, photo-based quotes and clear explanations of the work before it starts. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT25OMllsVkhSbkZWVTFRMlRWQlhSVGR2V0VoaE5FRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xa0af9aeb94a600da!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOnN2YlVHRnFVU1Q2TVBXRTdvWEhhNEE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Clay & Ed from Act One transformed my kitchen and bathroom. They honed marble countertops in my kitchen and re-grouted a large bathroom s…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT25kcGF6QTVhWFp3YkdwaFoxVkxWamR3ZDNkSlQyYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xa0af9aeb94a600da!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOndpazA5aXZwbGphZ1VLVjdwd3dJT2c%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Clay was outstanding from start to finish. He brought a high level of professionalism, responsiveness, and attention to detail that made …”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2s1aFNEUnRTMnd4WmpWTVpYWTFRbUZyZVZsak5tYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xa0af9aeb94a600da!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOk5hSDRtS2wxZjVMZXY1QmFreVljNmc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ When I first called to find out if my tile/grout issues were something Act One could help with, Clay explained their process thoroughly, …”
- Restores marble, granite, tile and concrete surfaces through regrouting, honing, polishing and sealing rather than new installation or demolition. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/watertown/profile/ceramic-tile-contractors/act-one-marble-and-tile-0021-88040) — “Services offered (Better Business Bureau): Marble Polishing Service, Ceramic Tile Cleaning, Concrete Polishing, Countertop Restoration, Diam…”
  - [Official Website](http://cleanpolishmarblegraniteboston.com) — “Act One - Marble and Tile is a Watertown, MA stone and tile restoration company owned and operated by Clay Carson, offering marble/granite p…”
- Google reviews average 4.9 stars from 85 ratings; Angi and HomeAdvisor each show 4.9 from 75 ratings; Houzz shows 5.0 from 4 ratings. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Act%20One%20-%20Marble%20and%20Tile&query_place_id=ChIJa1-MmRVdXEAR2gCmlOuar6A) — “Google: 4.9★ from 85 ratings”
  - [Houzz](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/countertop/act-one-marble-and-tile-pfvwus-pf~690166063) — “Houzz: 5.0★ from 4 ratings”
  - [HomeAdvisor](https://www.homeadvisor.com/rated.ActOne.32270358.html) — “HomeAdvisor: 4.9★ from 75 ratings”
  - [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/watertown/act-one-reviews-1.htm) — “Angi: 4.9★ from 75 ratings”
- Better Business Bureau accredited with an A+ grade. _(confidence: high)_
  - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/watertown/profile/ceramic-tile-contractors/act-one-marble-and-tile-0021-88040) — “Better Business Bureau grade: A+”
  - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/watertown/profile/ceramic-tile-contractors/act-one-marble-and-tile-0021-88040) — “Better Business Bureau: accredited / certified / member”
- Specializes in Flooring _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2xaaGNsUmxTV1pWYW1Sb01YZzNiRUZUZFVKYWRYYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xa0af9aeb94a600da!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOlZhclRlSWZVamRoMXg3bEFTdUJadXc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ The floors in my new house had obviously very dirty grout. Well…now they are so clean, I’m scared to walk on them lest I dirty them all u…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT210VU9FZGplVWxKVld0aGVUbGlNVFp3VUhSRVVYYxAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xa0af9aeb94a600da!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOmtUOEdjeUlJVWtheTliMTZwUHREUXc%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Act One over delivered on restoring a Terra Cotta kitchen floor installed 1983 in our South End condominium. Not only was Act One super w…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUN6cUs2U1VREAE!2m1!1s0x0:0xa0af9aeb94a600da!3m1!1s2@1:CIHM0ogKEICAgICzqK6SUQ%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ They did everything perfectly and made it easy for me to get the 1952 bathroom tile restored from dull to beautiful.

I found their web s…”
  - [Official Website](http://cleanpolishmarblegraniteboston.com) — “Act One - Marble and Tile is a Watertown, MA stone and tile restoration company owned and operated by Clay Carson, offering marble/granite p…”
- Specializes in Specialty Services _(confidence: high)_
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT2twWE4yMVNOR1p1VGxKMk5rRk9lRGxYTTFKbGQxRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xa0af9aeb94a600da!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOkpXN21SNGZuTlJ2NkFOeDlXM1Jld1E%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Clay does beautiful work - my marble counters were completely restored. But just as important was the fact that Clay communicated quickly…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT25OMllsVkhSbkZWVTFRMlRWQlhSVGR2V0VoaE5FRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xa0af9aeb94a600da!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOnN2YlVHRnFVU1Q2TVBXRTdvWEhhNEE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Clay & Ed from Act One transformed my kitchen and bathroom. They honed marble countertops in my kitchen and re-grouted a large bathroom s…”
  - [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m8!14m7!1m6!2m5!1sCi9DQUlRQUNvZENodHljRjlvT205dVQxVXdZa1pLYVc1dFIwbEpUSFp1UVRkdldsRRAB!2m1!1s0x0:0xa0af9aeb94a600da!3m1!1s2@1:CAIQACodChtycF9oOm9uT1UwYkZKaW5tR0lJTHZuQTdvWlE%7C%7C?hl=en) — “5★ Clay and his team restored two marble vanity tops for me. The vanities were 20 years old and needed help. The process took just a few hou…”
  - [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/watertown/profile/ceramic-tile-contractors/act-one-marble-and-tile-0021-88040) — “Services offered (Better Business Bureau): Marble Polishing Service, Ceramic Tile Cleaning, Concrete Polishing, Countertop Restoration, Diam…”

## License

Status: **not_found** — verified against the official MA state registry, never self-reported.
Re-check at the official registry: https://contractorhub.mass.gov/s/hic-contractor-search

## Sources

- [Thumbtack](https://www.thumbtack.com/ma/watertown/stone-restoration-and-polishing/act-one-marble-tile/service/336861707313725623): 5.0★ from 103 ratings
- [HomeAdvisor](https://www.homeadvisor.com/rated.ActOne.32270358.html): 4.9★ from 75 ratings
- [Angi](https://www.angi.com/companylist/us/ma/watertown/act-one-reviews-1.htm): 4.9★ from 75 ratings
- [Google](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Act%20One%20-%20Marble%20and%20Tile&query_place_id=ChIJa1-MmRVdXEAR2gCmlOuar6A): 4.9★ from 85 ratings
- [Google Reviews](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Act%20One%20-%20Marble%20and%20Tile&query_place_id=ChIJa1-MmRVdXEAR2gCmlOuar6A): Listed on this source
- [Better Business Bureau](https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/watertown/profile/ceramic-tile-contractors/act-one-marble-and-tile-0021-88040): Listed on this source
- [Exa](https://trustedpros.com/company/act-one-marble-and-tile): 1 web mention across the open web (each linked to its source)
- [Official Website](http://cleanpolishmarblegraniteboston.com): Self-reported profile and service details
- [Houzz](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/countertop/act-one-marble-and-tile-pfvwus-pf~690166063): 5.0★ from 4 ratings
- [Porch](https://pro.porch.com/watertown-ma/flooring-contractors/act-one-marble-and-tile-165566935/pp): Listed on this source

## Mentions

Unverified third-party mentions found on the open web — relay with attribution ("a Reddit commenter said…"), never as Tavlee's own finding.

- “As installers, my partner and I did i” — trustedpros.com (2011-05-05) — https://trustedpros.com/company/act-one-marble-and-tile

## Recent reviews

- **4/5 · Google Reviews · Margaret Corcoran · 2026-09-01**: Clay and his team were prompt and efficient!
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Kristian Bauer · 2026-08-31**: I reached out to Act One after noticing that there were gaps in the tiles in my shower that was installed around 25-30 years ago. I was concerned about water getting in and causing more serious issues. I also noticed the grout failing in other areas of the bathroom.

After reaching out, I sent Clay …
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Richard Callahan · 2026-08-31**: Very satisfied with the service and finished product.
Highly recommended.
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Shawn Wu · 2026-08-27**: Clay did a wonderful job to fixed and polished the marble shower wall and bathroom floor. He is very professional and hardworking, I highly recommend his services.
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Lydia Greene · 2026-07-26**: Clay does beautiful work - my marble counters were completely restored. But just as important was the fact that Clay communicated quickly and professionally. Highly recommend!
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Adam · 2026-06-21**: Act one did a great job cleaned up a really old marble top. On time very professional they do good work.
- **5/5 · Angi · Stephen R. · 2026-06-01**: Exceptional work and service highly recommended.
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Milena Haskovec · 2026-05-26**: Clay and his colleague(s) are true craftsmen and professionals in their field. In one instance, they refinished Italian sandstone floor to its beauty with their expertise, by cleaning, sealing and re-grouting. They truly know what they are doing, are very diligent, detail oriented, very pleasant and…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Dave F. · 2026-05-03**: Thanks to Clay and Ed for the great work, fully restoring my 1950’s bath wall tile and grout, and replacing my kitchen stone backsplash grout as well. Very professionally done, Clay nicely coordinated to accommodate my unique schedule, and the work was completed on time….I highly recommend Act One -…
- **5/5 · Google Reviews · Beth Nordberg Stokes · 2026-04-24**: Clay & Ed from Act One transformed my kitchen and bathroom. They honed marble countertops in my kitchen and re-grouted a large bathroom shower and floor. Before, during, and after the work, Clay was super responsive and clear about the work. The pricing was also competitive with other companies. I h…

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Data freshness: last scanned 2026-09-07T12:52:58.796Z.
Cite as: Act One - Marble and Tile — Tavlee (https://tavlee.com/contractor/act-one-marble-and-tile)
Source: https://tavlee.com/contractor/act-one-marble-and-tile