Matthew Oldford Nova Scotia: A Career Built on Craft and Discipline

Born in 1980, Matthew Oldford of Nova Scotia has built a career defined by persistence, adaptability, and curiosity. Over the last two decades, he has worked across two very different industries, construction and finance developing a rare combination of technical skill and business insight. Today, as the founder of Matty Renos, a residential renovation company based in Nova Scotia, he brings those experiences together to create homes that reflect both craftsmanship and careful planning.

Matthew Oldford’s story isn’t one of sudden success. It’s a story of steady learning, risk-taking, and returning to what feels right. His path reflects the working spirit of the Maritimes: practical, patient, and proud.

About Matthew Oldford Nova Scotia

Matthew Oldford grew up in Nova Scotia, where he developed a respect for skilled trades early in life. After graduating from Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), he joined a local builder at just 22 years old. With no formal construction background, he learned by doing. He studied how materials came together, how teams operated on-site, and how every small detail contributed to the final result.

For two years, Matthew Oldford worked hands-on in residential and commercial construction, gaining experience that would shape the rest of his career. He often says that those early years taught him more about patience and problem-solving than any classroom ever could.

After that first job, he accepted a position with a coastal roofing quoting agency. There, he spent five years pricing and managing projects ranging from $20,000 to $250,000. His performance earned him a managerial role, where he learned to oversee projects, build client relationships, and guide crews toward deadlines without compromising quality.

This phase of his career was about more than construction, it was about understanding responsibility, accountability, and the realities of running a business.

Shifting Gears: From Construction to Finance

In 2007, Matthew Oldford made an unexpected decision: he returned to NSCC to study finance and investment management. The move might have surprised those who knew him as a tradesman, but for Oldford, it was a chance to expand his skill set and explore another side of the housing industry.

He completed several professional certifications, including the Canadian Securities Course (CSC), the Life License Qualification Program (LLQP), the Conduct and Practices Handbook (CPH), and the Group Insurance and Employee Benefits (GIE) program. He later earned his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation.

Armed with these new credentials, Matthew Oldford joined Scotiabank as a financial planner, helping families and individuals set goals, manage investments, and plan for major life purchases. Later, as a mobile mortgage specialist, he worked closely with clients navigating the residential real estate market, a field that allowed him to combine his financial expertise with his understanding of home construction and value.

Those years gave him a broader view of how people build their lives, not only the physical structures they live in, but also their financial foundations.

Returning to His Roots

By 2017, Matthew Oldford Nova Scotia decided it was time to return to construction. He joined the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA), where he served as a foreman managing 10 to 15 workers on large-scale industrial and residential projects.

At LIUNA, he rediscovered his appreciation for teamwork and physical craftsmanship. It also reminded him of why he started in construction in the first place, the satisfaction of seeing tangible results at the end of a long day.

That experience rekindled his entrepreneurial ambition. He wanted to build something of his own, a business that reflected both his technical experience and his financial insight.

Founding Matty Renos

In the years that followed, Matthew Oldford founded Matty Renos, a Nova Scotia-based residential renovation and design-build company. The idea was simple but ambitious: to provide homeowners with a renovation experience rooted in communication, transparency, and care.

Matty Renos focuses on full-scale home renovations, additions, and remodeling projects. The company emphasizes collaboration with clients, ensuring that each project aligns with their lifestyle, budget, and long-term goals. Matthew Oldford Nova Scotia believes that good construction should never feel rushed, it should feel deliberate, thoughtful, and built to last.

His background as a Certified Financial Planner also plays a quiet but important role in the company’s success. Matthew Oldford approaches every project with an investor’s mindset: balancing value, quality, and cost. That perspective helps clients make informed decisions, and it ensures the business remains steady through changing markets.

In interviews, Matthew Oldford often says his philosophy is simple: “Construction is not just about building; it’s about trust. People are letting you into their homes, you owe them respect and honesty from day one.”

Leadership, Community, and Legacy

Matthew Oldford’s career has come full circle. From working as an apprentice builder to becoming a financial planner, and finally returning as a company owner, he has carried each lesson forward. His dual expertise allows him to bridge the gap between financial planning and physical construction, two worlds that, at their core, are both about building stability.

Beyond business, Matthew Oldford remains committed to supporting Nova Scotia’s local trades and encouraging young workers to consider careers in construction. He believes that skilled trades are essential to the province’s growth and that communities thrive when people take pride in their work.

As a real estate investor and developer, he continues to contribute to Nova Scotia’s housing market, focusing on projects that prioritize quality, safety, and sustainability.

The Story of Matthew Oldford Nova Scotia

At its heart, the story of Matthew Oldford Nova Scotia is about balance, between learning and leading, numbers and nails, plans and people. It’s about using each experience, whether in finance or construction, to become more capable and self-reliant.

From his early days on job sites to his work behind the desk as a financial planner, Matthew Oldford has shown that success is built not by choosing one path, but by learning from each one you walk. His journey reflects the work ethic that defines Nova Scotia itself: steady, hands-on, and always moving forward.