Privacy Policy

Last updated: January 2024

Introduction

Look, we get it - privacy policies can feel like reading building codes at 2am. But here's the deal: we're not in the business of selling your data or doing anything sketchy with your information. This policy explains how we handle the info you share with us when you reach out about a project or browse our site.

At Zirelith Quinthar Architects, we treat your personal information the same way we approach sustainable design - with care, transparency, and a commitment to doing things right.

What Information We Collect

When you contact us or engage with our services, we might collect:

  • Contact Details: Your name, email address, phone number, and mailing address. Pretty standard stuff when you're reaching out about an architectural project.
  • Project Information: Details about what you're looking to build, renovate, or design. Budget considerations, timeline, property specifics - whatever you share with us during consultations.
  • Technical Data: IP addresses, browser types, and how you navigate our website. This helps us understand what works and what doesn't on our site.
  • Communication Records: Emails, calls, and meeting notes. We keep track of conversations so we're all on the same page throughout your project.

How We Use Your Information

We're not gonna beat around the bush here. Your information helps us do our job better:

Project Development: Understanding your vision, creating designs that actually match what you need, and keeping the whole process moving smoothly.

Communication: Sending updates, answering questions, scheduling site visits, and basically making sure we're not playing phone tag for weeks.

Legal Compliance: Meeting Canadian privacy laws, building regulations, and professional architectural standards. The boring but necessary stuff.

Service Improvement: Learning what clients actually want versus what we think they want. Real feedback helps us get better at what we do.

Marketing: If you've opted in, we might send occasional updates about our work or sustainability insights. No spam though - we hate that as much as you do.

We don't sell, rent, or trade your personal information. Period.

Information Sharing

Sometimes we need to share information to get your project done right. Here's when that happens:

Contractors & Consultants: Structural engineers, sustainability consultants, interior designers - the team that brings your project to life. They only get what's relevant to their part of the work.

Legal Requirements: If a court order or government authority requires it, we'll comply with Canadian law. We're not fans of this scenario, but we'll follow the rules.

Professional Partners: Occasionally we collaborate with other architectural firms or specialists. Your information stays protected under the same standards we maintain.

Service Providers: Cloud storage, email services, project management tools - the tech that keeps everything running. These providers are bound by confidentiality agreements.

Data Security

We take security seriously - probably as seriously as structural integrity in our designs. Here's what we do:

  • Encrypted connections for all online communications
  • Secure cloud storage with regular backups
  • Limited access - only team members who need info for your project can see it
  • Regular security audits and updates
  • Physical security for any paper documents at our Toronto office

That said, no system is 100% bulletproof. We do our best, but the internet being what it is, we can't guarantee absolute security. If there's ever a breach, we'll let you know right away.

Your Rights

Under Canadian privacy law (PIPEDA, if you're into acronyms), you've got rights:

  • Access what personal info we have on file
  • Request corrections if something's wrong
  • Ask us to delete your data (with some legal exceptions)
  • Opt out of marketing communications anytime
  • Withdraw consent for how we use your information
  • File a complaint with the Privacy Commissioner of Canada if you think we've messed up

Just shoot us an email at info@zirelithquinthar.info and we'll sort it out.

Cookies & Website Tracking

Our website uses cookies - those little data files that remember you came by. Nothing creepy, just practical stuff:

Essential Cookies: Make the site actually work. Can't really turn these off without breaking things.

Analytics: Help us see which pages people visit and how long they stick around. We use this to improve the site experience.

Functional: Remember your preferences so you don't have to reset everything each visit.

You can adjust cookie settings in your browser if you want more control. Just know that blocking some cookies might make parts of the site wonky.

Data Retention

We keep your information as long as it's useful or legally required. Here's the general timeline:

Active Projects: Everything stays on file while we're working together and for 7 years after project completion. That's standard practice for architectural records in Ontario.

Inquiries: If you reach out but don't move forward, we'll keep your contact info for about 2 years in case you change your mind.

Marketing Lists: Until you unsubscribe or we notice you haven't engaged in ages.

After that? We either delete it or anonymize it so thoroughly it can't be traced back to you.

Third-Party Links

Sometimes we link to other websites - supplier catalogs, sustainability certification bodies, building product manufacturers. Once you click through, you're on their turf and their privacy policies apply. We try to link to reputable sites, but we can't control what they do with your data.

Children's Privacy

Our services aren't aimed at kids under 18. If you're a parent and think your child has shared info with us, let us know and we'll delete it. We're designing buildings, not collecting data on minors.

Changes to This Policy

Laws change, technology evolves, and sometimes we need to update how we handle things. If we make significant changes to this privacy policy, we'll post the updated version here and let active clients know directly. The "last updated" date at the top will always reflect the most recent version.

We're not gonna pull any sneaky changes - if something major shifts, you'll hear about it.

Questions or Concerns?

Privacy stuff can get confusing. If something in this policy doesn't make sense or you've got questions about how we handle your information, just reach out. We'd rather have a conversation than leave you wondering.

Email: info@zirelithquinthar.info

Phone: (416) 555-0147

Office: 1425 Queen Street West, Suite 302, Toronto, ON M6K 1M3