Privacy Policy

Last updated: January 2024

Introduction

Look, we're gonna be straight with you - privacy matters, especially when you're trusting us with details about your home or business project. We've been doing this architecture thing for a while now, and we know that your information deserves respect.

This policy breaks down what info we gather when you reach out to us or browse our site, and what we actually do with it. We're based in Toronto and follow Canadian privacy laws (PIPEDA, if you're curious about the acronym). No legal jargon gymnastics here - just the real deal about how we handle your data.

By using our website or getting in touch with us about a project, you're cool with the practices we've outlined below. If something doesn't sit right with you, definitely reach out before sharing any personal details.

What Information We Collect

Stuff You Give Us Directly

When you fill out our contact form or shoot us an email about a potential project, we'll typically collect:

  • Your name and how you prefer to be addressed
  • Email address and phone number
  • Property address or project location
  • Project details, budget range, timeline expectations
  • Any sketches, photos, or documents you share with us
  • Communication history - emails, notes from calls, meeting records

Technical Data We Gather Automatically

Like most websites these days, we collect some technical bits when you visit:

  • IP address and general location (city-level, not your exact address)
  • Browser type, device info, operating system
  • Pages you visit on our site and how long you hang around
  • Where you came from (like if you clicked a link from another site)
  • Date and time stamps of your visits

Project-Specific Information

Once we're working together on a project, we might also need property surveys, existing building plans, soil reports, permit applications, or financial info for construction budgeting. This stuff stays confidential and we only use it for your project.

How We Actually Use Your Info

We're not in the business of hoarding data for no reason. Here's what we do with the information you share:

Project Communication

Responding to your inquiries, scheduling site visits, sending proposals, and keeping you updated throughout the design and construction process.

Service Delivery

Creating architectural designs, preparing permit applications, coordinating with contractors, managing your project timeline and budget.

Legal & Regulatory Stuff

Meeting our professional obligations, maintaining accurate records for insurance purposes, complying with building codes and regulations.

Website Improvements

Understanding how folks use our site so we can make it better, fixing technical issues, and optimizing the user experience.

Important note: We won't use your info for marketing purposes without your explicit permission. If you've signed up for our newsletter or updates, you can unsubscribe anytime - no hard feelings.

Who We Share Your Data With

We're pretty protective of your information, but sometimes we need to share certain details to get the job done:

  • Consultants & Contractors: Structural engineers, HVAC specialists, contractors - basically the team that brings your project to life. They only get what's relevant to their part of the work.
  • Municipal Authorities: When we're filing permits or dealing with building department approvals, we share necessary project information as required by law.
  • Professional Service Providers: Our accountants, lawyers, insurance providers, and IT support folks who help us run the business properly.
  • Cloud Storage Providers: We use secure cloud services to store project files and communications. These providers are bound by strict confidentiality agreements.

We never sell your personal information to third parties. Period. That's not how we operate, and frankly, it's not why we got into architecture in the first place.

Cookies & Tracking Tech

Yeah, we use cookies - not the chocolate chip kind, unfortunately. These are small text files that help our website function properly and give us insights into how people use the site.

Cookie Type What It Does Can You Opt Out?
Essential Cookies Keep the site working - navigation, form submissions, security features Nope, these are necessary
Analytics Cookies Show us which pages get visited, how long people stay, what content resonates Yep, through browser settings
Preference Cookies Remember your settings and choices for future visits Sure can

Most browsers let you control cookies through their settings. Just know that blocking all cookies might make parts of our site less functional.

How We Keep Your Information Safe

We take data security seriously - your trust is important to us, and we've put measures in place to protect what you share:

1
Encrypted Connections

SSL encryption for all data transmitted through our website

2
Access Controls

Limited team access to sensitive data, password-protected systems

3
Regular Backups

Secure, encrypted backups to prevent data loss

4
Secure Storage

Canadian-based servers with enterprise-grade security protocols

Real talk: No system is 100% bulletproof. While we do everything reasonable to protect your data, we can't guarantee absolute security. If we ever experience a data breach that affects you, we'll let you know promptly and tell you what steps to take.

Your Rights & Choices

Under Canadian privacy law, you've got some solid rights when it comes to your personal information. Here's what you can do:

You can request a copy of the personal information we have about you. We'll provide it in a readable format within 30 days. There's no charge unless the request is unusually complex or repetitive.

If something we've got on file is wrong, just let us know and we'll fix it. This is especially important for project-related info since accuracy matters when we're dealing with permits and construction.

You can ask us to delete your personal info, and we'll honor that request unless we've got a legal reason to keep it (like for tax records, ongoing projects, or professional liability requirements). We'll explain if we can't delete something and why.

If you've agreed to let us use your info for something specific (like marketing emails), you can change your mind anytime. Just note that for ongoing projects, we'll still need certain information to fulfill our professional obligations.

Want to take your data elsewhere? We can provide your information in a commonly used format that you can transfer to another service provider if needed.
How to Exercise These Rights

Email us at info@nexusinvalquinth.info or call (416) 555-0147

We'll verify your identity before processing any requests - just to make sure we're not handing your info to someone else.

Data Retention

We don't keep your information forever - that'd be weird and unnecessary. Here's our general approach:

  • Active Projects: We keep all project-related data for the duration of the project plus 7 years afterward. This aligns with professional liability requirements and building regulations.
  • Inquiries That Didn't Move Forward: If you reached out but didn't proceed with a project, we typically delete your info after 2 years unless you've asked us to keep it for future reference.
  • Marketing Communications: If you're on our mailing list, we keep your contact info until you unsubscribe.
  • Website Analytics: Technical data gets anonymized and aggregated after 26 months.

Once the retention period is up, we securely delete or anonymize your information so it can't be traced back to you.

Third-Party Links

Our website might link to other sites - maybe a manufacturer's product page, a municipal building department, or a sustainability certification body. Once you click those links, you're leaving our site and entering their world.

We're not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We'd recommend checking their privacy policies before sharing any personal info over there. We try to link to reputable sources, but we can't control what they do with your data.

Changes to This Policy

Privacy laws evolve, and so do our practices. When we make significant changes to this policy, we'll update the "Last Updated" date at the top and let you know if you're an active client.

For major changes that affect how we handle your data, we'll reach out directly via email or through a notice on our website. We'd encourage you to review this page periodically, especially if it's been a while since your last visit.

Questions or Concerns?

If something in this privacy policy doesn't make sense, or if you've got concerns about how we're handling your information, please don't hesitate to reach out. We'd rather address your questions than have you worry about it.

Call Us
(416) 555-0147
Visit Our Office

1250 Bay Street, Suite 402
Toronto, ON M5R 2A5

Privacy Complaint? If you believe we've mishandled your personal information, you can file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. We'd prefer to resolve things directly with you first, but you've got that option if needed.