Privacy Policy

How we handle your information

Last updated: January 2024

Introduction

Look, we get it - nobody really enjoys reading through legal documents. But here's the thing: at Blazor in Quintharos, we're pretty serious about respecting your privacy. We've been designing spaces in Toronto for years, and just like we wouldn't barge into your home uninvited, we don't mess around with your personal data either.

This policy breaks down what information we collect when you visit our site or work with us, and more importantly, what we actually do with it. We've tried to keep the lawyer-speak to a minimum, but there's some technical stuff we gotta cover to stay compliant with Canadian privacy laws.

What Information We Collect

When you reach out to us or browse through our portfolio, we might collect a few different types of information:

Personal Details You Give Us

This includes the obvious stuff - your name, email, phone number, and address when you fill out our contact form or request a consultation. If you're becoming a client, we'll need more detailed info like project requirements, budget ranges, and site information. Nothing we wouldn't discuss over coffee anyway.

Technical Data

Our website automatically picks up some technical bits - your IP address, browser type, device info, and how you navigate through our pages. It's pretty standard stuff that helps us understand which parts of our site folks actually find useful. Turns out people really dig our sustainability section!

Project-Related Information

If we're working together on a project, we'll naturally collect details about your property, design preferences, photos, measurements, and any other documentation needed to bring your vision to life. This stuff's essential for us to do our job properly.

How We Use Your Information

We're not in the business of collecting data just for kicks. Here's what we actually use it for:

  • Project Delivery: The main reason we need your info is to design and execute your architectural projects. Can't really create your dream space without knowing what you're after, right?
  • Communication: We'll use your contact details to respond to inquiries, send project updates, share design drafts, and generally keep you in the loop. We're pretty responsive - usually get back to folks within 24 hours.
  • Service Improvement: By analyzing how people use our site, we figure out what's working and what's not. Maybe our portfolio needs better organization, or perhaps our sustainability page could use more real-world examples.
  • Legal Obligations: Sometimes we're required to keep certain records for regulatory or legal purposes. It's not exciting, but it's necessary in the architecture world.
  • Marketing: Occasionally, we might send updates about our new projects or services. But only if you've said it's cool with you - we're not fans of spam either.

Who We Share Data With

We're pretty protective of your information, but there are times when we need to share it with others:

  • Project Partners: Engineers, contractors, consultants - basically the team that helps us bring your project to life. They only get what's relevant to their part of the work.
  • Service Providers: Companies that help us run our business - hosting providers, email services, project management tools. They're bound by their own privacy agreements.
  • Legal Requirements: If the law says we gotta hand over information to authorities or courts, we'll comply. Hasn't happened yet, knock on wood.
  • With Your Permission: If you want us to share your project in our portfolio or with the press, we'll always ask first. Your building, your call.

We don't sell your data to third parties. That's just not how we roll.

Cookies & Tracking

Yeah, we use cookies - not the chocolate chip kind, unfortunately. These little data files help our website remember your preferences and understand visitor patterns. Here's the breakdown:

Essential Cookies: These keep the site functioning properly. Can't really turn these off without breaking stuff.

Analytics Cookies: Help us see which pages are popular and how people move through the site. We use this to make improvements.

Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and choices so you don't have to keep re-entering them.

Most browsers let you control cookies through their settings. Just heads up - blocking certain cookies might make parts of the site a bit wonky.

Your Privacy Rights

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

  • Access: You can ask us what personal data we have on you. We'll provide it in a readable format.
  • Correction: Spotted something wrong? Let us know and we'll fix it. We want your info to be accurate anyway.
  • Deletion: Want us to erase your data? We can do that, unless we're legally required to keep it (like for completed projects).
  • Opt-Out: Don't want marketing emails? No problem - there's an unsubscribe link in every message we send.
  • Portability: Need your data in a format you can use elsewhere? We can arrange that.
  • Withdraw Consent: Changed your mind about something you previously agreed to? Just let us know.

To exercise any of these rights, shoot us an email at info@blazorinquintharos.info or give us a call at (416) 555-0142. We'll get back to you within 30 days, usually sooner.

How We Protect Your Data

We take security seriously - probably more than we should admit. Our website uses SSL encryption (that little padlock in your browser), our servers are regularly updated and monitored, and we limit who on our team can access sensitive information.

Physical documents are kept in locked cabinets at our Toronto office, and we shred stuff before disposing of it. Our digital files are backed up regularly and stored on secure servers in Canada.

That said, no system's 100% foolproof. We do our best, but if you're sending us sensitive information, it's good to be aware there's always some level of risk in digital communication.

Data Retention

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

  • Inquiry information: Kept for about 2 years in case you come back to us
  • Active project data: Retained throughout the project and for 7 years after completion (legal requirement for architectural work)
  • Financial records: 7 years (tax requirements)
  • Marketing data: Until you unsubscribe or ask us to delete it
  • Website analytics: Aggregated and anonymized after 2 years

Children's Privacy

Our services aren't directed at anyone under 18, and we don't knowingly collect information from kids. If you're a parent and think we might have data from your child, please reach out and we'll delete it immediately.

Changes to This Policy

We might update this policy occasionally - laws change, our practices evolve, you know how it goes. When we make significant changes, we'll post a notice on our website and update the date at the top. For major changes, we might send an email to our active clients.

It's worth checking back here once in a while, especially if you're working with us on a project.

Questions or Concerns?

If something in this policy doesn't make sense, or if you've got questions about how we handle your information, don't hesitate to reach out. We'd much rather have a conversation than leave you wondering.

Get in Touch

Blazor in Quintharos Architecture

1250 Bay Street, Suite 800

Toronto, ON M5R 2A5

Phone: (416) 555-0142

Email: info@blazorinquintharos.info

If you're not satisfied with our response to a privacy concern, you've also got the right to file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. But honestly, we'd appreciate the chance to sort things out directly first.

Building Trust, One Project at a Time

Your privacy matters as much to us as good design does.