Privacy Policy

Introduction

Look, we get it - nobody really enjoys reading privacy policies. But here at Iron Valorium Architecture, we're pretty straightforward folks who believe in transparency, whether we're talking about structural steel or how we handle your data. This policy lays out what info we collect, why we need it, and what we do with it. No fancy legal runaround, just the facts.

By using our website or reaching out to us for architectural services, you're agreeing to the terms outlined here. If something doesn't sit right with you, we'd rather you contact us at contact@ironvalorium.info so we can talk it through.

What We Collect

Personal Information: When you fill out our contact forms or shoot us an email, we'll collect your name, email address, phone number, and whatever project details you share. We need this stuff to actually respond to your inquiries and understand what you're looking to build.

Project Data: Once we start working together, we'll gather site information, design preferences, budget ranges, and technical requirements. This is essential for creating plans that actually work for your vision and location.

Website Analytics: Like most websites out there, we use cookies and similar tech to see how visitors interact with our site. We're looking at things like which pages get the most views, where people are coming from, and how long they stick around. It helps us improve the user experience.

Business Communications: If we're corresponding via email, phone, or video calls, we might keep records of those conversations. This protects both of us and ensures we're on the same page about project details.

How We Use Your Information

We're not in the business of selling data or spamming inboxes. Here's what we actually do with your info:

• Respond to your inquiries and provide quotes for architectural services
• Develop designs, plans, and documentation for your projects
• Communicate with contractors, engineers, and municipal authorities on your behalf
• Send you project updates, invoices, and important notifications
• Maintain our portfolio (with your permission, of course)
• Improve our website and services based on user behavior
• Comply with Canadian legal and professional requirements

We won't use your personal information for marketing purposes unless you've specifically opted in. And even then, you can opt out anytime by letting us know.

Information Sharing & Disclosure

We don't just hand out your information to anyone who asks. But there are times when sharing is necessary:

Project Collaborators: When we're working on your project, we'll need to share relevant details with structural engineers, contractors, suppliers, and consultants. Everyone involved signs confidentiality agreements to protect your information.

Municipal Authorities: Building permits and zoning applications require us to submit plans and property information to local government agencies. That's just part of the construction process in Canada.

Legal Requirements: If we're legally obligated to disclose information - like in response to a court order or regulatory investigation - we'll do so. But we'll notify you first unless we're prohibited from doing so.

Service Providers: We use third-party services for things like website hosting, email management, and cloud storage. These providers are bound by their own privacy policies and security measures.

Data Security

We take security seriously. Our digital files are encrypted and stored on secure servers with regular backups. Physical documents are kept in locked cabinets at our Toronto office. Access is limited to team members who actually need it for their work. We use SSL encryption on our website to protect data transmission, and our staff receives regular training on data protection practices.

That said, no system is 100% foolproof. While we do everything reasonable to protect your information, we can't guarantee absolute security. If we ever experience a data breach that affects your information, we'll notify you promptly and work to resolve the issue.

Your Rights & Choices

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

• Access: You can request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Correction: If something's wrong or outdated, let us know and we'll fix it
• Deletion: You can ask us to delete your information, though we might need to keep some records for legal or professional reasons
• Objection: You can object to certain uses of your information
• Portability: You can request your data in a format that's easy to transfer elsewhere

To exercise any of these rights, just reach out to us at contact@ironvalorium.info or give us a call at (416) 555-0187. We'll respond within 30 days.

Cookies & Tracking

Our website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience and understand how people use our site. These are small text files stored on your device. We use both session cookies (which expire when you close your browser) and persistent cookies (which stick around longer).

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers let you block or delete cookies, but doing so might affect how our site works for you. We use Google Analytics to track website traffic, which collects anonymous data about visitor behavior.

We don't use cookies for advertising or tracking you across other websites. What happens on our site stays on our site.

Retention Policy

We keep your information for as long as necessary to provide our services and meet legal requirements. For active projects, we retain all documentation throughout the design, permitting, and construction phases. After project completion, we maintain records for seven years - that's the standard in our industry and helps with warranty issues, future renovations, or legal matters.

If you've just inquired about services but didn't move forward with a project, we'll keep your contact information for two years in case you change your mind. After that, it gets deleted unless you've asked us to keep you on our mailing list.

Children's Privacy

Our services aren't directed at anyone under 18, and we don't knowingly collect information from kids. If you're a parent or guardian and think your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we'll delete it promptly.

Third-Party Links

Our website might link to external sites - like manufacturer pages, engineering resources, or municipal planning departments. We're not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites. When you click away from our site, you're subject to their policies, not ours. Always check their privacy statements before sharing any information.

Changes to This Policy

We might update this privacy policy from time to time as our practices evolve or laws change. When we make significant changes, we'll post a notice on our website and update the date at the top of this page. For major changes that affect how we handle your information, we'll send you a direct notification if we have your email address.

We encourage you to check this page periodically to stay informed about how we're protecting your information.

Contact Us

If you've got questions, concerns, or complaints about this privacy policy or how we handle your information, we want to hear from you. Seriously - don't hesitate to reach out:

We'll do our best to address your concerns within 30 days. If you're not satisfied with our response, you have the right to file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

Governing Law

This privacy policy is governed by the laws of Ontario and Canada, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). Any disputes will be resolved in accordance with Canadian law.