Privacy Policy

Pretty simple, actually. Your data helps us work with you better:

• Project work - Creating designs, sending proposals, keeping you in the loop on your project
• Communication - Responding to your inquiries, scheduling site visits, sending project updates
• Legal stuff - Meeting building code requirements, permit applications, contract management
• Improving our service - Understanding what clients need, refining our design approach
• Newsletter - If you've opted in, we'll share project updates and sustainability tips (you can bail anytime)

We're not in the business of spamming you or selling your info. That's not how we roll.

We take this seriously. After all, you're trusting us with your home or business plans.

Security measures we've got in place:

• SSL encryption on our website (that little lock icon in your browser)
• Secure cloud storage with encryption for project files
• Limited access - only team members working on your project see your info
• Regular backups so nothing gets lost
• Password-protected systems and two-factor authentication

We use Canadian-based servers when possible, keeping data within BC's privacy regulations. Our office systems are regularly updated, and we don't leave sensitive documents lying around.

No system's 100% foolproof, but we're doing everything reasonable to keep your stuff safe.

Yeah, we use cookies. Not the chocolate chip kind, unfortunately.

Essential cookies: These keep the site working - remember your preferences, keep you logged into forms, that sort of thing.

Analytics cookies: We use these to see which portfolio pieces get the most love, how people find us, what pages are popular. It's anonymized data that helps us improve the site.

What we don't do:

• Track you across other websites
• Sell your browsing data to advertisers
• Use invasive tracking tech

You can disable cookies in your browser settings, though some site features might not work as smoothly. Most browsers let you block third-party cookies while keeping the functional ones.

We work with a few trusted partners to keep things running smoothly:

• Email service - For sending project updates and newsletters
• Cloud storage - Where we keep project files secure
• Analytics - To understand how people use our site
• Payment processing - If you pay invoices online (we never see your full card details)

These companies have their own privacy policies, and we've chosen ones that meet Canadian privacy standards. They're contractually obligated not to use your data for their own purposes.

Structural engineers and consultants: Sometimes we need to share project details with specialists - energy consultants, structural engineers, landscape architects. They're bound by professional confidentiality, but we'll always let you know when this happens.

We don't randomly hand out your info. If we need to share something, there's a good reason related to your project.

This is your data. You've got rights under Canadian privacy law (PIPEDA), and we respect that.

You can:

• Access your data - Ask what info we have on you, and we'll show you
• Correct mistakes - If something's wrong, let us know and we'll fix it
• Request deletion - Want us to delete your data? We'll do it (unless we legally need to keep it)
• Opt out of marketing - Unsubscribe from newsletters anytime with one click
• Object to processing - Tell us if you're uncomfortable with how we're using your data
• Data portability - Get a copy of your data in a readable format

Just shoot us an email at info@pyrelithvenquinth.info or call (604) 555-7821. We'll respond within 30 days, usually faster.

Note: For active projects, we might need to keep certain info to complete our work and meet legal obligations. We'll explain what we can and can't delete.

We don't hoard data forever. Here's our general approach:

• Active projects - We keep everything during the project and for 7 years after completion (that's the legal requirement for architectural records in BC)
• Inquiries that don't turn into projects - Usually deleted after 2 years if we haven't heard from you
• Newsletter subscribers - Until you unsubscribe
• Website analytics - Anonymized and kept for about 2 years to track trends
• Financial records - 7 years minimum (tax law requirements)

For heritage projects, we might keep certain documentation longer since it becomes part of historical records. We'll discuss this with you upfront if it applies.

Once the retention period's up, we securely delete or anonymize your data. It doesn't just sit around indefinitely.

Got questions about this policy or how we handle your data? We're happy to chat about it.

If you're not satisfied with our response, you can file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. We'd rather sort it out directly though.

We'll update this policy as needed - if there are major changes, we'll let active clients know by email. The "last updated" date at the top tells you when we last made changes.