We're pretty serious about keeping your information safe and sound
Last Updated:
January 2024
Look, we get it - nobody actually enjoys reading privacy policies. But here's the thing: we've been designing spaces for people around Toronto for years, and trust has always been at the core of what we do. So yeah, we're gonna be straight with you about how we handle your information.
At Harrow Quintale Architecture, we're committed to protecting your personal data. This policy explains what we collect, why we collect it, and what we do with it. We operate under Canadian privacy laws, including PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act), and we take that responsibility seriously.
By using our website or working with us, you're agreeing to the practices described here. If something doesn't sit right with you, we'd love to hear about it - our contact details are at the bottom.
When you reach out to us or start a project, we'll typically collect:
Like most websites these days, we collect some technical data when you visit:
Heads up: We don't sell your personal information to third parties. Never have, never will. That's just not how we roll.
We're not gonna sugarcoat it - we use your info to run our business and serve you better. Here's the breakdown:
Communicating with you about your architectural projects, sharing design concepts, and delivering the services you've hired us for.
Processing payments, maintaining records, and handling contracts. The boring but necessary parts of running an architectural practice.
Understanding how people use our website and what they're looking for, so we can make things better and more user-friendly.
Sending occasional updates about our work, sustainability initiatives, or relevant architectural insights (only if you've said it's okay).
We'll always ask for your consent when it's required by law, and you can withdraw that consent anytime. Just drop us a line.
We're pretty protective of your information, but there are times when we need to share it with others to get the job done:
Sometimes we work with structural engineers, contractors, sustainability consultants, or other specialists. We'll share relevant project info with them, but they're bound by confidentiality agreements.
If we're legally required to disclose information (like by court order or regulatory authorities), we'll comply. We're not trying to get on anyone's bad side legally speaking.
In the unlikely event that we sell or merge the business, your information might be transferred to the new owners. Don't worry though - they'd be bound by this same privacy policy.
We might showcase completed projects in our portfolio, but we'll always get your explicit approval before using any identifying information or photos of your property.
Yeah, we use cookies - but not the chocolate chip kind (wish we could offer those). These are small text files that help our website work better and remember your preferences.
| Cookie Type | What It Does | Can You Refuse? |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | Makes the website actually function. Navigation, security, basic stuff. | Not really - site won't work without them |
| Analytics | Helps us understand how people use the site so we can improve it. | Yep, totally optional |
| Functional | Remembers your preferences like language settings. | You can, but the site won't remember you |
You can manage cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers let you refuse cookies or alert you when they're being sent. Just be aware that some parts of our site might not work as smoothly if you disable them.
We take security seriously - probably as seriously as we take sustainable building practices. Your information is protected using industry-standard security measures:
That said, no system is 100% bulletproof. We do our best to protect your info, but we can't guarantee absolute security. If we ever experience a data breach that affects you, we'll let you know right away and tell you what happened.
Pro tip: Keep your own passwords secure and don't share your login credentials with anyone. Basic stuff, but worth mentioning.
Under Canadian law, you've got some solid rights when it comes to your personal information. Here's what you can do:
You can ask us what personal information we have about you. We'll provide it within a reasonable timeframe (usually 30 days).
If something's wrong or outdated, let us know and we'll fix it. We want our records to be accurate anyway.
You can request deletion of your personal data, though we might need to keep some records for legal or legitimate business reasons.
Not interested in our updates? No hard feelings - just unsubscribe or let us know and we'll remove you from our marketing lists.
You can request a copy of your data in a structured, commonly used format if you want to move it elsewhere.
If you've given us permission to use your data for something, you can change your mind anytime.
To exercise any of these rights, just reach out to us using the contact info below. We'll verify your identity (to make sure we're not giving your info to someone else) and then get you sorted out.
We don't keep your information forever - that'd just be weird and unnecessary. Here's our approach:
We keep your personal data only as long as we need it for the purposes we collected it for. That includes meeting legal requirements, resolving disputes, and enforcing our agreements. For active clients, we'll keep project records during the project and for a reasonable period afterward (typically 7 years for financial and project documents, as required by professional standards and tax laws).
Once we don't need your information anymore, we'll either delete it securely or anonymize it so it can't be traced back to you.
Our website might link to other sites - like sustainability resources, industry publications, or supplier websites. Just so you know, we're not responsible for how those sites handle your privacy. They've got their own policies, and you should check them out if you're concerned.
We try to only link to reputable sources, but once you leave our site, this privacy policy no longer applies.
Our services aren't directed at anyone under 18, and we don't knowingly collect information from kids. If you're a parent and think your child has given us their information, please contact us immediately and we'll delete it.
We might update this privacy policy from time to time - laws change, our practices evolve, you know how it goes. When we make changes, we'll update the date at the top and post the new policy here.
For major changes that significantly affect how we handle your data, we'll try to give you more prominent notice (like an email if we have your address on file, or a notification on our website).
We'd recommend checking this page occasionally to stay informed. Not the most exciting reading, but it's good to know where you stand.
Look, we know privacy stuff can be confusing. If you've got questions about this policy or how we handle your information, don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to help and we'll do our best to explain things in plain English.
Email: info@harrowquintale.info
Phone: (416) 555-0142
1250 Bay Street, Suite 402
Toronto, ON M5R 2A5
Canada
Privacy Officer: If you have a formal complaint about how we've handled your personal information, you can contact our privacy officer at the above email address. We'll investigate and respond within 30 days.
If you're not satisfied with how we've handled a privacy concern, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. You can reach them at 1-800-282-1376 or visit www.priv.gc.ca. We'd prefer to resolve things directly with you first though, so give us a chance to make it right.