Privacy Policy

We take your privacy seriously - here's the straight talk on how we handle your information

Introduction

Last Updated: January 2024

Look, we get it - privacy policies can be a real snooze-fest. But here at Galeval Thorium Architecture, we're committed to being upfront about how we handle your personal info. Whether you're a potential client checking out our sustainable designs or just browsing our portfolio, you deserve to know what happens with your data.

This policy covers everything we do with information collected through our website, email communications, and during our architectural consultation process. We're based in Vancouver, BC, and we follow Canadian privacy laws (specifically PIPEDA), which honestly set a pretty high bar for data protection.

What Information We Actually Collect

Information You Give Us Directly

When you reach out to us or fill out a contact form, we'll collect stuff like:

  • Your name and contact details (email, phone number)
  • Project details you share with us
  • Property information and addresses
  • Budget ranges and timeline expectations
  • Any specific requirements for residential or commercial projects
Info We Collect Automatically

Like most websites nowadays, we gather some technical data when you visit:

  • IP address and general location data
  • Browser type and device info
  • Pages you visit and how long you hang around
  • Referral sources (how you found us)
Real talk: We're not tracking your every move. This data just helps us understand if people actually find our sustainability page useful or if they're more interested in our portfolio work.

How We Use Your Information

We're not gonna sell your email to some random marketing company - that's not our style. Here's what we actually do with your data:

Project Communication

Responding to inquiries, sending project proposals, and keeping you updated on your architectural project's progress.

Service Delivery

Creating designs, managing permits, coordinating with contractors, and all the nuts and bolts of bringing your project to life.

Legal Compliance

Meeting building code requirements, maintaining proper documentation, and fulfilling our professional obligations.

Website Improvements

Understanding what works and what doesn't so we can make the site more helpful for folks looking for sustainable architecture solutions.

When We Share Information (Spoiler: Not Often)

We're pretty protective of your data, but there are a few situations where we might need to share it:

Project Partners & Contractors

If you're working with us on a project, we'll need to share relevant details with structural engineers, contractors, and other professionals who're helping make your vision happen. They're bound by confidentiality agreements too.

Legal Requirements

If the law requires it or if we need to protect our rights (or yours), we might have to disclose information. Think building permits, regulatory compliance, that kind of thing.

Service Providers

We use trusted third-party services for things like email hosting and website analytics. They only get access to what they need to do their job, and they can't use your data for their own purposes.

Important: We will never sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes. Period.

How We Keep Your Data Safe

Data security isn't just about checking boxes - it's something we take seriously. Here's what we do:

  • Encrypted communications: Our website uses SSL encryption (that little lock icon in your browser)
  • Secure storage: Client files and project data are stored on protected servers with regular backups
  • Access controls: Only team members who need access to your info actually get it
  • Regular updates: We keep our systems patched and up-to-date
  • Physical security: Our office at 1425 Burrard Street has controlled access and secure file storage

That said, no system is 100% bulletproof. We do our best, but if you're sending sensitive info via email, you might wanna call us instead at (604) 555-0142.

Your Privacy Rights

Under Canadian privacy law, you've got some solid rights when it comes to your personal information:

Access Your Data

You can ask to see what personal information we have about you. We'll get back to you within 30 days.

Correct Mistakes

If something's wrong or outdated, let us know and we'll fix it. Accurate info is important for architectural work anyway.

Delete Your Information

Want us to delete your data? We can do that, though we might need to keep some records for legal or regulatory reasons.

Opt Out of Marketing

Not interested in our occasional project updates or sustainability tips? No worries - just let us know or hit unsubscribe.

Cookies & Tracking Technology

Yeah, we use cookies - but not the chocolate chip kind. These are small files that help the website remember your preferences and track basic analytics.

Types of Cookies We Use:
  • Essential cookies: Keep the site functioning properly - you can't really turn these off
  • Analytics cookies: Help us understand how people use the site (through services like Google Analytics)
  • Preference cookies: Remember your settings and choices

Most browsers let you control cookies through their settings. Just know that blocking all cookies might make parts of the site not work as smoothly.

How Long We Keep Your Data

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

  • Active projects: We keep all relevant data for the duration of the project plus 7 years (that's standard practice for architectural firms in Canada)
  • Inquiries that don't convert: Typically purged after 2 years if there's been no follow-up
  • Marketing contacts: As long as you're engaged with our communications, or until you unsubscribe
  • Website analytics: Aggregated data is kept for trend analysis, but individual user data is anonymized after 26 months

Children's Privacy

Our services aren't directed at anyone under 18. We don't knowingly collect information from kids. If you're a parent and think we've somehow got info about your child, reach out and we'll delete it immediately.

Changes to This Policy

Privacy laws and best practices evolve, so we might update this policy from time to time. When we make significant changes, we'll let you know via email (if we have your contact info) or through a notice on our website. The "Last Updated" date at the top will always reflect when changes were made.

Questions? Concerns? Let's Talk

If you've got questions about this privacy policy or how we handle your data, don't hesitate to get in touch. We're humans, not robots, and we're happy to explain things in plain English.

Contact Information

Galeval Thorium Architecture

1425 Burrard Street, Suite 300
Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Z3
Canada

Phone: (604) 555-0142

Email: info@galevalthorium.info

We typically respond to privacy inquiries within 2 business days.

This privacy policy is governed by the laws of British Columbia and Canada. If you have a complaint about how we handle your personal information, you can contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.