Look, we get it - privacy policies can be a real slog to read through. But here's the thing: we actually care about how your info gets handled. So we've tried to keep this straightforward and honest, because that's how we do things around here. p>
What Information We Collect
When you reach out to us or work with us on a project, we'll collect some basic stuff - your name, email, phone number, and your address if you're hiring us for a project. Pretty standard, right? We also hang onto any project details you share with us, like design preferences, budget ranges, and what you're hoping to achieve with your space.
If you visit our website, we might collect some technical data through cookies - things like your IP address, browser type, and which pages you checked out. Nothing creepy, just helps us understand how folks use the site and make it better.
How We Use Your Information
We're not gonna beat around the bush here - we use your info to actually do our job. That means responding to your inquiries, developing design proposals, managing projects, and keeping you in the loop about your build. If you've signed up for our newsletter (which, thanks for that), we'll send you occasional updates about our projects and sustainable design insights.
We'll also use it for the boring but necessary stuff like invoicing, contracts, and keeping our business records straight. And yeah, if there's ever a legal requirement to keep certain records - which there often is in architecture - we've gotta comply with that.
Who We Share It With
Here's the deal - we don't sell your information to anyone. Period. But we do work with other professionals to bring projects to life, so sometimes we need to share relevant project info with engineers, contractors, landscape architects, or consultants who're working on your project with us. They're bound by confidentiality agreements, just like we are.
We might also share info with service providers who help us run the business - think cloud storage, accounting software, email platforms. These folks are contractually obligated to keep your data secure and only use it for the specific services they're providing us.
And of course, if the law requires us to disclose information - like in response to a court order or legal process - we'll comply with that. But we're not handing anything over without proper legal grounds.
How We Protect Your Data
We take security seriously around here. All our systems use encryption, we've got secure servers, and we limit who on our team can access sensitive client info. Only people who genuinely need it for their work can get to it.
That said, let's be real - nothing's 100% bulletproof on the internet. We do our absolute best to protect your information, but we can't guarantee absolute security. What we can promise is that we're constantly updating our practices and staying on top of best practices for data protection.
Your Rights & Choices
You've got options. You can ask us what information we've got on you, request corrections if something's wrong, or ask us to delete your data (though we might need to keep some stuff for legal or contractual reasons). You can also opt out of marketing emails anytime - there's an unsubscribe link at the bottom of every newsletter we send.
Under Canadian privacy laws (we're based in Toronto, ON), you've got specific rights about how your personal information is handled. If you wanna exercise any of these rights, just shoot us an email or give us a call. We'll get back to you within a reasonable timeframe.
Cookies & Tracking
Our website uses cookies - those little data files that help the site remember you and work properly. Some are essential (like remembering you're logged into a client portal), others help us understand how people use the site so we can improve it.
You can adjust your browser settings to refuse cookies, but heads up - some parts of the site might not work as smoothly if you do. We don't use any sketchy tracking stuff, and we're not following you around the internet with targeted ads.
How Long We Keep Your Info
We keep your information for as long as we need it to provide our services and meet legal requirements. For active projects, that's pretty obvious - we need it throughout the design and build process. After a project wraps up, we'll keep records for several years because architectural projects have long tails - building codes, warranties, and professional liability requirements mean we've gotta hold onto certain documentation.
If you've just inquired about services but didn't move forward, we'll typically keep that info for a couple years in case you come back to us later. After that, if we haven't heard from you, we'll clear it out.
Third-Party Links
Sometimes we'll link to other websites - maybe a manufacturer's site for a material we love, or an article about sustainable design. Just so you know, we're not responsible for how those sites handle your data. They've got their own privacy policies, and you should check those out if you're concerned.
Changes to This Policy
We might update this privacy policy from time to time - laws change, our practices evolve, and we wanna make sure this stays accurate. When we make changes, we'll update the date at the top and post the new version here. If there's anything major, we'll let our active clients know directly.
Questions or Concerns?
Look, if anything in here doesn't make sense, or if you've got concerns about how we're handling your information, just reach out. We're not hiding behind legal jargon - we're happy to have an actual conversation about this stuff.
Get In Touch
Email: contact@crystalvintaros.info
Phone: (416) 555-0147
Address: 1245 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON M6J 1J1
This privacy policy is governed by Canadian privacy legislation, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). If you're not satisfied with how we've addressed your privacy concerns, you have the right to file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.
Crystal Vintaros Architecture is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information with care and respect. We believe transparency and trust are just as important in our client relationships as they are in our design work.