Privacy Policy

Introduction

Look, we get it - nobody really loves reading privacy policies. But here at Dark Forge Quest Architecture, we're pretty serious about keeping your information safe and being straight with you about what we do with it.

This policy covers everything you need to know about how we handle your data when you're checking out our website, reaching out for project inquiries, or working with us on architectural designs. We're based in Vancouver, BC, Canada, and we follow all the relevant Canadian privacy laws including PIPEDA.

If something here doesn't make sense or you've got questions, just give us a shout. We'd rather explain things clearly than hide behind legal jargon.

Information We Collect

Personal Information You Give Us

When you fill out our contact forms or email us about a project, we'll collect basic stuff like:

• Your name and company name (if applicable)
• Email address and phone number
• Project location and property details
• Budget ranges and timeline expectations
• Any specific architectural requirements or ideas you share with us

Automatic Information Collection

Like most websites these days, ours automatically picks up some technical data:

• IP addresses and browser types
• Pages you visit and how long you hang around
• Device information and screen resolution
• Where you came from before landing on our site

Project-Related Information

Once we're working together, we'll need stuff like site photos, property documents, design preferences, and communication records. This helps us actually build what you're envisioning.

How We Use Your Information

We're not in the business of doing shady stuff with your data. Here's what we actually use it for:

We might occasionally send you updates about our work or relevant industry insights, but you can opt out of that anytime. We're not gonna spam you.

Information Sharing & Disclosure

We don't sell your information. Period. That's not our business model and frankly, it's kinda gross when companies do that.

There are a few situations where we might share your data though:

• Project Partners: Engineers, contractors, and consultants who need it to complete your project. They're bound by confidentiality agreements.
• Legal Requirements: If we're legally required to provide info to authorities, courts, or regulatory bodies.
• Service Providers: Companies that help us run our website or manage communications (like email services or cloud storage). They can only use your data for those specific purposes.
• Business Transfers: In the unlikely event we merge with another firm or sell our practice, your information might transfer with it.

Before sharing anything, we make sure there's a good reason and proper protections in place.

Cookies & Tracking Technologies

Yeah, we use cookies - and no, not the edible kind (though our office usually has those too).

Cookies are tiny files that help our website remember things about your visit. We use them for:

• Keeping track of your preferences and settings
• Understanding which parts of our site people find useful
• Analyzing traffic patterns to improve performance
• Making sure our contact forms work properly

Most browsers let you control cookies through their settings. You can block them entirely, though some parts of the site might not work as smoothly.

We also use Google Analytics to see how people interact with our site. Google has their own privacy policy covering how they handle that data.

Your Privacy Rights

You've got rights when it comes to your personal information. Under Canadian privacy law, you can:

To exercise any of these rights, just reach out to us using the contact info at the bottom of this page. We'll get back to you within 30 days.

Data Security & Retention

We take protecting your information seriously. Our security measures include:

• Encrypted connections (SSL/TLS) for data transmission
• Secure servers with regular security updates
• Limited access to personal data within our team
• Regular backups stored in secure locations
• Strong password policies and authentication protocols

That said, no system is 100% bulletproof. While we do our best to protect your data, we can't guarantee absolute security. The internet's a wild place.

How Long We Keep Your Data:

We'll hang onto your information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined here. For project clients, that typically means:

• Active project data: Duration of the project plus 7 years (standard for architectural records)
• Inquiry data: 2 years if we don't end up working together
• Financial records: 7 years as required by Canadian tax law

After that, we'll either delete it or anonymize it so it can't be traced back to you.

Third-Party Links

Our website might link to other sites - maybe suppliers we work with, industry resources, or project-related references. Once you click away from our site, this privacy policy doesn't apply anymore.

We're not responsible for the privacy practices of other websites. It's worth checking out their policies if you're concerned about how they handle data.

Children's Privacy

Our services aren't directed at kids under 16, and we don't knowingly collect information from them. If you're a parent and think your child has given us information, let us know and we'll delete it.

Changes to This Policy

We might update this privacy policy from time to time as our practices evolve or laws change. When we do, we'll update the date at the top of this page.

If there are major changes that significantly affect how we handle your data, we'll let you know directly via email or with a prominent notice on our website.

Questions or Concerns?

If you've got questions about this privacy policy or how we handle your information, we're happy to chat. Seriously, don't hesitate to reach out.