The Hamptons Project Experience

In this episode of the Hamptons Project Experience podcast, we sit down with Matt Florio of Florio Tile, a third-generation tile installer who blends old-school craftsmanship with modern materials on high-end projects.Matt shares how he went from sweeping job sites at age five to running the family business after his father's illness and passing in 2008, and why starting out during the financial crisis gave him a hunger he thinks is hard to replicate.Then we get into the technical side of tile:Waterproofing: cement mud pans vs. foam pans, water-in/water-out systems vs. topside membranes, and why steam showers need a full vapor-proof fabric systemWater testing: what it is, why it matters, and why so many builders skip itLarge-format porcelain slabs: the logistics of moving and setting them, why 90-degree cuts crack, and how they compare in cost to natural stoneGrout and epoxy: how to cut down on the most common tile complaintWhat designers and contractors can do better: coordinating drains, framing, and materials before the tile crew arrivesWhat's next for tile: why Matt thinks PVC panels are coming, and how a shrinking labor pool is driving the shiftWe also talk about the skilled-trades labor shortage, why hands-on experience makes better engineers, and why the stigma around trades needs to change.Whether you're a homeowner planning a renovation, a designer, a contractor, or a young person weighing your career options, this conversation is packed with practical insight.

On this episode, we sit down with Michael Tagliavia, founder of Estate Haus LLC, a firm built around a simple but powerful idea: the owner deserves a true advocate. Estate Haus serves as the owner's strategic partner from the earliest planning stages through completion and long-term stewardship - assembling the right team, protecting the owner's interests, and guiding luxury residential projects to success.

Michael shares his path into the architecture and construction industry and what led him to start Estate Haus. We dig into what real owner advocacy looks like in practice, how to assemble the right project team, and why managing communication is just as critical as managing budget and schedule. Michael also breaks down why successful projects require far more than great architecture and quality construction - and offers practical advice for anyone about to start their own build or renovation journey.

Whether you're planning your first project or your fifth, this episode is packed with insight on protecting your vision from concept to completion.