Privacy Policy

Last updated: January 2024

Look, we're not one of those companies that's gonna bury you in legal jargon. We're architects, not lawyers - though we've had to learn a thing or two about privacy laws over the years. Bottom line? We respect your information and won't do anything shady with it. This page explains how we handle your data when you're working with us or just browsing around our site.

What Info We Actually Collect

When you reach out to us or we're working together on a project, we'll collect some basic stuff that helps us do our job properly. Nothing weird or invasive - just what we need.

Personal Contact Details

Your name, email, phone number, mailing address - y'know, the basics so we can actually communicate with you about your project. Can't design your dream space if we can't get in touch, right?

Project Information

Details about your property, what you're looking to build or renovate, budget considerations, timeline preferences. Sometimes site photos, property documents, or existing architectural plans. All the stuff we need to make your vision come to life.

Website Usage Data

Like pretty much every website out there, we collect some technical info - your IP address, browser type, which pages you visit, how long you stick around. It's mainly so we can figure out if our website's actually working properly and what people are interested in.

How We Use Your Information

We're not selling your data or anything sketchy like that. Here's what we actually do with it:

  • Project Delivery: Obviously, we need your info to design and manage your architectural projects. Can't really build that sustainable commercial space without knowing where it's gonna be.
  • Communication: Keeping you updated on project progress, answering your questions, sending over drawings and documents, coordinating meetings - all that essential back-and-forth stuff.
  • Legal Requirements: Sometimes we gotta keep records for building permits, regulatory compliance, or just general business documentation. It's part of working in architecture - everything needs a paper trail.
  • Improving Our Services: Understanding what clients are looking for helps us get better at what we do. We might analyze trends in project types or service requests to refine our approach.
  • Occasional Updates: If you've worked with us or shown interest, we might send you updates about our firm, case studies, or design insights. But we're not gonna spam you - that's annoying for everyone.

Who We Share Data With (Spoiler: Not Many People)

We're pretty protective of client information. That said, architecture projects involve teamwork, so sometimes we need to share certain details:

Project Collaborators: Engineers, contractors, consultants, or other professionals working on your project. They'll only get what they need to know to do their part. We usually have confidentiality agreements in place for bigger projects.

Service Providers: Companies that help us run our business - cloud storage, email services, accounting software, that sort of thing. They're bound by their own privacy policies and we only work with reputable providers.

Legal Obligations: If the law requires it or if there's some kind of legal proceeding, we might need to disclose information. Hopefully that never happens, but we gotta mention it.

We'll never sell your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes. That's just not how we roll.

Cookies & Tracking Stuff

Yeah, we use cookies - and nope, not the chocolate chip kind (though we usually have those in the office too). Web cookies are tiny files that help our website work better and remember your preferences.

We use 'em to remember if you've visited before, keep you logged in if you're accessing a client portal, and track which parts of our site are most popular. Pretty standard stuff. Most browsers let you control cookies through their settings if you wanna disable them, though some parts of the site might not work as smoothly.

Your Rights (Yeah, You've Got 'Em)

Under Canadian privacy laws (specifically PIPEDA), you've got some solid rights when it comes to your personal information:

Access Your Data

You can ask to see what information we have about you. We'll provide it in a reasonable timeframe (usually within 30 days).

Correct Mistakes

If something's wrong or outdated, let us know and we'll fix it. We wanna have accurate info anyway - makes our job easier.

Delete Your Information

In most cases, you can request that we delete your personal data. There are some exceptions - like if we're legally required to keep certain project documentation - but we'll delete what we can.

Opt Out of Communications

Don't wanna hear from us anymore? No hard feelings - just click the unsubscribe link in any email or shoot us a message.

How We Keep Your Data Safe

We take security seriously - probably comes from spending so much time thinking about building safety and structural integrity. Your information is protected with industry-standard security measures:

We use encrypted connections (that's the little padlock you see in your browser), secure servers, password protection, and regular backups. Access to client information is limited to team members who actually need it for their work. Our computers and systems are protected with firewalls and updated security software.

That said, no system is 100% bulletproof - anyone who claims otherwise is lying. We do our best to protect your data, but if there's ever a security breach that affects your information, we'll let you know ASAP and tell you what steps we're taking to fix it.

How Long We Keep Your Info

We don't hoard data forever. Generally, we keep your personal information for as long as we're working together, plus a reasonable period afterward for records and potential follow-up.

For project-related documents and architectural drawings, we typically keep those for around 7-10 years after project completion - that's pretty standard in our industry and helps if there are any warranty issues or future renovation needs. Some stuff we're required to keep longer due to building codes or professional regulations.

Once we don't need your information anymore, we'll either delete it or anonymize it so it can't be traced back to you.

Third-Party Links

Our website might link to other sites - suppliers, building material manufacturers, professional associations, whatever. Just so you know, we're not responsible for their privacy practices. Once you click away from our site, you're under their policies, not ours. Worth checking out their privacy info if you're concerned.

Changes to This Policy

Privacy laws evolve, our business grows, technology changes - so yeah, we might update this policy from time to time. When we do, we'll update the date at the top of this page and post the new version here. If there are major changes, we'll probably send out an email to let folks know.

Worth checking back here occasionally to stay in the loop about how we're handling your information.

Questions? Concerns? Just Wanna Chat About Privacy?

Look, we know privacy policies can be overwhelming. If you've got questions about how we handle your information, or if you wanna exercise any of your rights, just reach out. We're real people and we'll give you real answers.

Get in Touch

Email: info@quintavornelthos.info

Phone: (416) 555-0147

Address: 1245 Queen Street West, Suite 302, Toronto, ON M6K 1L5

We'll get back to you within a couple business days. If it's urgent, calling is usually faster than email.

This privacy policy is governed by Canadian privacy laws, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). If you're not satisfied with how we've handled a privacy concern, you can file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.