Privacy Policy

Introduction

Look, we get it - privacy policies aren't exactly thrilling reads. But at Frostward Quest Architecture, we're pretty straightforward about how we handle your info. We're a small firm based in Vancouver that designs buildings for harsh climates, and we take your privacy as seriously as we take thermal performance specs.

This policy explains what data we collect when you reach out to us or use our website, and what we do (and don't do) with it.

What Information We Collect

When you contact us for a project consultation or general inquiry, we typically collect:

• Your name and contact details (email, phone number)
• Project location and basic requirements
• Any information you choose to share about your cold-climate design needs
• Communication history if we're working together

Our website also automatically collects some basic technical stuff like IP addresses, browser types, and which pages you visit. Pretty standard web analytics that help us understand if folks are actually finding our remote location planning info useful or just bouncing off the homepage.

How We Use Your Information

We're not in the data-selling business - we're architects. Here's what we actually do with your info:

• Project Work: If you're a client, we use your details to communicate about your project, send proposals, schedule site visits to remote locations, and generally do the work you hired us for.
• Response to Inquiries: When you reach out with questions about Arctic construction or thermal consulting, we'll use your contact info to get back to you. That's it.
• Occasional Updates: With your permission, we might send updates about cold-climate design innovations or our latest projects. You can opt out anytime.
• Improve Our Services: Analytics help us figure out what information people need about extreme climate architecture.

Who We Share Information With

We don't hand out your personal details like they're brochures at a trade show. However, there are a few situations where we might share info:

• Project Partners: If your project requires collaboration with engineers, contractors, or other specialists in cold-climate construction, we'll share relevant details with them (with your knowledge).
• Legal Requirements: If required by Canadian law or regulation, we'll comply with legal requests for information.
• Service Providers: We use trusted third-party services for things like email hosting and cloud storage. They're bound by confidentiality agreements.

We absolutely don't sell your information to marketing companies or random third parties. That's not our style.

Cookies and Tracking

Our website uses cookies - not the warm, freshly-baked kind you'd want in a cold climate, but the digital ones. These help the site function properly and give us insights into how visitors use it.

We use basic analytics to see which pages get traffic and where visitors are coming from. You can disable cookies through your browser settings, though some site features might not work as smoothly.

We don't use aggressive tracking or retargeting ads. If you see ads for winter parkas after visiting our site, that's probably just a coincidence (or your browser's other activities).

How We Protect Your Data

We take reasonable precautions to keep your information secure. Our systems use industry-standard security measures, encrypted connections for data transmission, and secure storage for client files.

That said, no digital system is 100% bulletproof - anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something. We do our best to maintain security, keep software updated, and limit access to sensitive information within our team.

Physical documents at our Vancouver office are stored securely and disposed of properly when no longer needed.

Your Rights and Choices

Under Canadian privacy laws (PIPEDA and BC's privacy legislation), you've got rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: You can ask what information we have about you.
• 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 project records).
• Opt-Out: Don't want occasional emails? No problem - just unsubscribe or let us know.

To exercise any of these rights, just shoot us an email at contact@frostwardquest.info or give us a call at (604) 555-0142. We'll respond within a reasonable timeframe.

Data Retention

We don't keep information forever just for the sake of it. Here's our general approach:

• Active Clients: We keep project-related information for the duration of our working relationship and for several years after project completion (important for warranty issues, future reference, or if you come back for Phase 2).
• Inquiries: If you reached out but didn't move forward with a project, we'll typically keep basic contact info for a year or two, then delete it.
• Financial Records: Tax laws require us to keep certain financial records for seven years - that's out of our hands.

International Data Transfers

We're based in Canada and primarily work here, but some of our cloud services might store data on servers located in other countries (often the US). When that happens, your information is still protected by our privacy commitments and the contractual obligations we have with those service providers.

If you're contacting us from outside Canada, be aware that information you provide will be transferred to and processed in Canada under Canadian privacy laws.

Changes to This Policy

We might update this privacy policy from time to time - especially if laws change or if we adopt new technologies in our practice. When we make significant changes, we'll update the date at the top and notify active clients directly.

For major changes that affect how we handle information, we'll make sure you're aware before the changes take effect.

Questions or Concerns?

If you've got questions about this privacy policy or how we handle your information, we're happy to chat about it. We're not hiding behind corporate speak - just reach out directly.

If you believe we've mishandled your personal information, you also have the right to file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada.