Privacy Policy

Last updated: January 2024

Your Privacy Matters

Look, we get it - nobody really enjoys reading these

But here's the thing: we're architects, not data miners. We only collect what we actually need to do our job - which is designing spaces you'll love. This isn't some corporate mumbo-jumbo. We're gonna be straight with you about what info we gather and why.

100%

Confidential

0

Data Sales

24/7

Protection

What We Actually Collect

When you reach out to us or work with our studio, we'll typically need some basic stuff. Nothing crazy, just the essentials to keep things moving:

  • Contact Details: Your name, email, phone number - pretty standard. Can't exactly send you those design proposals telepathically yet.
  • Project Info: What you're looking to build, where it'll be, your budget range. This helps us figure out if we're the right fit for each other.
  • Site Details: Property addresses, lot dimensions, existing building specs. You know, the architectural stuff we need to actually do our job.
  • Financial Bits: Billing info when we're working together. Gotta keep the lights on somehow.
  • Communication Records: Emails, meeting notes, phone conversations. We keep these so we don't forget what you told us three weeks ago.

How We Use Your Information

Alright, so here's where your info actually goes - spoiler alert, it's all pretty boring and work-related:

Design & Planning: We use your project details to create architectural plans, 3D renders, and construction documents. Can't design your dream home without knowing what you want, right?

Communication: Sending you updates, answering questions, scheduling site visits. Basic client relationship stuff that keeps projects from going off the rails.

Legal Requirements: Sometimes we gotta share info with building departments, zoning boards, or contractors. It's just part of how construction works in the real world.

Contract Stuff: Managing agreements, sending invoices, keeping track of project milestones. The less exciting side of architecture, but someone's gotta do it.

Website Improvements: We check out how people use our site so we can make it less annoying. Nobody likes a clunky website.

Who Gets to See This Stuff

We're not exactly throwing your info around like confetti. Here's the short list of who might need access:

  • Our Team: Obviously. Can't have our designers working blind.
  • Contractors & Engineers: When we're collaborating on your project, they'll need relevant details. That's just how building stuff works.
  • Government Agencies: Building permits, zoning approvals - all that fun bureaucratic stuff requires sharing certain info.
  • Legal & Financial Services: Our lawyers and accountants when necessary. Thrilling, we know.
  • Tech Providers: Cloud storage, email services, project management tools. We use modern software like everyone else.

We don't sell your data. Period. We're architects, not ad-tech bros. Your info stays within our professional circle, and we make sure everyone who touches it knows to keep it confidential.

Keeping Your Data Safe

Security's kind of a big deal for us. We've got measures in place that'd make even paranoid people feel better:

Digital Protection

Encrypted connections, secure servers, password-protected systems. All the tech stuff that keeps hackers out.

Physical Security

Our office at 245 Queen Street West has controlled access. We don't leave client files lying around for anyone to grab.

Staff Training

Everyone on our team knows the confidentiality drill. We're not hiring random people off the street here.

Regular Backups

Your project files are backed up regularly. If our server explodes tomorrow, your designs won't vanish into thin air.

Your Rights & Choices

It's your data, so you've got some say in what happens with it. Here's what you can do:

  • Access: Wanna see what info we've got on you? Just ask. We'll show you what's in your file.
  • Corrections: If something's wrong or outdated, let us know and we'll fix it. Simple as that.
  • Deletion: When our project's done and legal retention periods are up, we can delete your personal info if you want.
  • Opt-Out: Don't want marketing emails or newsletters? Cool, we'll take you off the list. No hard feelings.
  • Portability: Need your project data in a different format? We can usually accommodate that.

Just shoot us an email at info@duskvalenquintho.info or call (416) 555-0147 if you wanna exercise any of these rights.

How Long We Keep Stuff

We don't hoard your data forever like some digital pack rats. Here's the general timeline:

Active Projects: While we're working together, we obviously keep everything. Can't exactly delete your floor plans mid-project.

Completed Projects: In Canada, architects gotta keep project records for at least 10 years. It's not us being nosy - it's literally the law. Building codes, liability stuff, all that jazz.

Marketing Lists: If you're just on our mailing list and never became a client, we'll keep your contact info until you tell us to stop or it's been a few years with no interaction.

Financial Records: Tax authorities in Canada require us to keep billing records for 7 years. Blame the CRA, not us.

Cookies & Website Tracking

Yeah, our website uses cookies. Not the delicious kind, unfortunately. Here's what they do:

We use basic analytics to see which pages people actually look at and where they're clicking. It helps us figure out if our portfolio section is loading too slowly or if nobody can find the contact form. Pretty standard website maintenance stuff.

You can block cookies in your browser if you want. The site'll still work, though some features might act a bit wonky. Most browsers let you clear cookies anytime, so feel free to go nuclear on 'em if that makes you feel better.

Changes to This Policy

Sometimes we gotta update this thing. Maybe laws change, maybe we adopt new tech, maybe we realize we forgot to mention something. When that happens, we'll post the updated version here and change the date at the top.

For big changes that actually matter, we'll shoot you an email. For minor tweaks and clarifications, we'll just update the page. You're a busy person - we're not gonna spam you every time we fix a typo.

International Data Transfers

We're based in Toronto, but sometimes our cloud services or software providers might store data outside Canada. When that happens, we make sure they've got proper security measures in place. Your info doesn't just float around unprotected in some random data center halfway across the world.

Canadian privacy laws are pretty solid, and we follow them whether your data's sitting on a server in Toronto or somewhere else. It's all protected the same way.

Questions or Concerns?

Look, if something in here doesn't make sense or you've got privacy concerns, just reach out. We're not gonna hide behind legal jargon or ignore you.

Get in Touch

Email: info@duskvalenquintho.info

Phone: (416) 555-0147

Office: 245 Queen Street West, Suite 800, Toronto, ON M5V 1Z4, Canada

If you're really not happy with how we've handled your data and talking to us doesn't fix it, you can file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. But honestly, we'd rather work it out directly with you first.

Bottom Line

We're architects who happen to collect some data, not a tech company pretending to be architects. Your info helps us design better buildings and keep projects running smoothly. We protect it, we don't sell it, and we only keep what we actually need. If you've got questions, we've got answers. That's really all there is to it.