Look, we get it - nobody actually enjoys reading privacy policies. But since we're asking for your trust when you reach out to us about your projects, we figured we owe you some straight talk about what we do with your information. We've tried to keep this as human-readable as possible.
When you contact us through our website or visit our office here in Vancouver, we collect pretty basic stuff:
- Contact Details: Your name, email, phone number - basically how we can get back to you about your project.
- Project Information: Whatever you share with us about what you're trying to build or renovate. Could be a quick sketch, site photos, or just ideas you're throwing around.
- Technical Data: Standard web stuff - IP addresses, browser type, pages you looked at. We use this to make sure the site's working properly and isn't getting hammered by bots.
- Cookies: Yeah, we use 'em. Mostly to remember if you've visited before and what pages interested you. Nothing creepy though.
We're not out here collecting social insurance numbers or anything invasive like that. Just what we need to have an actual conversation about architecture.
Here's the deal - we're architects, not a marketing firm. Your info gets used for practical stuff:
- Project Communication: Responding to your inquiries, setting up consultations, sending over preliminary sketches or proposals.
- Service Delivery: Actually doing the work you hired us for - design development, permit applications, contractor coordination.
- Legal Compliance: Keeping records we're required to maintain under Canadian and BC regulations. Architecture's a regulated profession, so there's paperwork involved.
- Improving Our Work: Understanding what kind of projects people are interested in helps us refine our services and website content.
We won't sell your email to some sketchy marketing list or anything like that. That's just not how we operate.
We're pretty protective of client information, but there are times when we need to share it:
- Project Collaborators: Engineers, contractors, consultants - the people who actually help us build your vision. They only get what they need to know.
- Municipal Authorities: Permit applications go to the city. That's just part of getting things built legally in Vancouver or anywhere in BC.
- Legal Requirements: If we get a court order or there's some regulatory investigation, we gotta comply. Hasn't happened yet, but legally we have to mention it.
- Service Providers: Our web hosting company, email service, cloud storage - the tech infrastructure keeping things running. They're all bound by their own privacy policies.
Bottom line: we only share what's necessary to get your project done right, or when the law requires it.
We take reasonable precautions to keep your data secure:
- SSL encryption on our website (that little lock icon in your browser)
- Password-protected systems and encrypted file storage
- Limited access - only team members working on your project can see your files
- Regular backups stored securely in Canadian data centers
That said, let's be real - no system is 100% hack-proof. We do our best to stay secure, but we can't guarantee absolute protection. If there's ever a breach that affects your data, we'll let you know ASAP and tell you what steps to take.
Different stuff gets kept for different lengths of time:
- Project Files: We're required to keep architectural records for 10 years after project completion. It's a professional standard thing.
- Inquiry Forms: If you reached out but didn't end up hiring us, we'll keep your info for about 2 years in case you come back.
- Financial Records: Seven years - that's what the Canada Revenue Agency wants us to do.
- Marketing Preferences: Until you tell us to delete them or we haven't heard from you in 3 years.
Once the retention period's up, we securely delete or anonymize the data. No point hoarding information we don't need anymore.
Under Canadian privacy law (PIPEDA), you've got some rights when it comes to your personal information:
- Access: You can ask to see what information we have about you.
- Correction: If something's wrong or outdated, let us know and we'll fix it.
- Deletion: Request that we delete your data (though we might need to keep some stuff for legal reasons).
- Objection: If you don't want us using your info for certain purposes, speak up.
- Portability: Get a copy of your data in a format you can take elsewhere.
To exercise any of these rights, just shoot us an email at info@frostbaneveil.info or give us a call at (604) 555-0127. We'll respond within 30 days.
If you're not happy with how we handle your request, you can file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.
We use cookies to make the website work better. Here's what we're using:
- Essential Cookies: Needed for basic site functionality. Can't really turn these off without breaking things.
- Analytics Cookies: Help us understand which pages people actually look at and where they're getting stuck. We use this to improve the site.
- Preference Cookies: Remember your settings so you don't have to keep re-entering stuff.
Most browsers let you block or delete cookies if you want. Just know that some parts of the site might not work as smoothly.
We don't use any creepy behavioral advertising trackers that follow you around the internet. That's just not our style.
We might update this policy from time to time - laws change, our practices evolve, technology moves forward. When we make significant changes, we'll update the date at the top and might send you an email if you're an active client.
We're not gonna sneak in major changes without letting people know. That'd be sketchy, and we're trying to run an honest practice here.
If you've got questions about this privacy policy or how we handle your information, just reach out. We'd rather have a conversation than leave you wondering.
Frostbane Veil Architecture
1247 Granville Street, Suite 302, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1M5
We're usually pretty quick to respond during business hours. If it's about an active project, we'll get back to you even faster.
Still have questions or want to discuss your project?
Get in Touch