Privacy Policy

Look, we're architects, not data miners. We only collect what we actually need to work with you and deliver great projects.

Basic contact stuff: Your name, email, phone number, and project address when you reach out. Pretty standard.

Project details: Whatever info you share about your space, requirements, budget ranges, timelines - the stuff that helps us understand what you're after.

Technical bits: When you visit our site, we collect standard web analytics like IP addresses, browser types, and how you navigate around. Nothing creepy, just helps us make the site better.

Communication records: Emails, meeting notes, and correspondence. We keep these so we don't lose track of your project requirements or what we've agreed on.

We use your info to actually do our job - designing spaces you'll love. Here's the breakdown:

• Project work: Creating designs, preparing documentation, coordinating with contractors and consultants. The core stuff.
• Communication: Keeping you updated on progress, answering questions, scheduling site visits and meetings.
• Legal requirements: Contracts, building permits, municipal submissions - there's paperwork involved in construction.
• Service improvement: Understanding what clients need helps us get better at what we do.
• Occasional updates: We might send you project updates or relevant industry info, but we're not gonna spam you with weekly newsletters or anything.

We don't sell your data to third parties. That's not our business model and honestly, who'd want to buy a list of people interested in architecture anyway?

We take reasonable precautions to keep your information secure. Our systems use industry-standard encryption, secure servers, and password protection.

Physical documents? They're stored in locked cabinets at our Toronto office. Digital files sit on secure, encrypted servers with regular backups.

Our team members only access info they need for their specific role on your project. We've got confidentiality agreements in place too.

That said, no system's 100% bulletproof. We do our best, but if there's ever a breach, we'll let you know ASAP and tell you what happened.

Sometimes we need to share your info to get the job done. Here's when that happens:

Project consultants: Structural engineers, mechanical designers, landscape architects - they need project details to do their part.

Contractors and builders: They'll get drawings and specs with your project info. Can't build without 'em.

Municipal authorities: Building departments, planning offices - permits require submitting your project info.

Service providers: Our cloud storage, email hosting, and project management tools. They're bound by their own privacy policies.

Legal obligations: If we're legally required to disclose information, we will. Court orders, regulatory requirements, that sort of thing.

Everyone we work with signs confidentiality agreements. They're not allowed to use your info for anything beyond your project.

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

Essential cookies: These keep the site functioning properly. You can't really opt out of these without breaking things.

Analytics cookies: Google Analytics and similar tools help us see how people use the site. We use this to improve navigation and content.

Preference cookies: Remember your choices so you don't have to reset everything each visit.

You can disable cookies in your browser settings, but some parts of the site might not work as smoothly. Most browsers let you control cookies pretty easily these days.

We don't use advertising cookies or track you across other websites. That's not our thing.

It's your data, so you've got rights. Here's what you can do:

Access: Want to see what info we have about you? Just ask. We'll send you a copy.

Correction: If something's wrong or outdated, let us know and we'll fix it.

Deletion: Want us to delete your info? We can do that, unless we're legally required to keep it (like for completed projects with warranty periods).

Opt-out: Don't want marketing emails? There's an unsubscribe link in every message, or just tell us directly.

Data portability: Need your project data in a usable format? We can export it for you.

Under Canadian privacy laws (PIPEDA), you've got additional rights. If you think we've mishandled your info, you can file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

To exercise any of these rights, shoot us an email at info@obsidrianquest.info or call (416) 555-0847.

We're required to keep project records for seven years after completion - that's standard practice in Ontario for architectural firms. It covers warranty periods and potential liability issues.

Marketing contacts? If you haven't engaged with us in three years, we'll probably clear you out of the system.

Website analytics data is typically retained for about two years, then it gets aggregated and anonymized.

Once retention periods are up, we securely delete or destroy the information. Digital files get wiped, physical documents get shredded.

We might update this policy from time to time. Maybe laws change, maybe we add new services, who knows what the future holds.

When we make changes, we'll update the date at the top of this page. If it's something major, we'll send an email to active clients.

It's worth checking back here occasionally, especially if it's been a while since you've looked.

Got questions about how we handle your information? Confused about something in this policy? Just want to chat about your privacy rights?

We're happy to talk it through. Privacy stuff can be dense and we'd rather you understand what's going on than just nod along.

We'll get back to you within a couple business days, usually faster.