Privacy Policy

We take your privacy seriously—here's the straight talk on how we handle your info.

Last updated: January 2024

Look, We Get It

Nobody actually enjoys reading privacy policies. But we're gonna keep this real with you because transparency matters when you're trusting us with your dream home or heritage restoration project. This isn't some cookie-cutter legal nonsense—it's how we actually operate here at Mystral & Forge.

What Info We Actually Collect

When you reach out to us or work with us, we're gonna need some basics:

  • Your name and contact details - Pretty obvious stuff. Can't design your building if we don't know who you are or how to reach you.
  • Project information - What you're looking for, site details, budget ballparks, timeline wishes. The stuff that helps us understand if we're the right fit.
  • Technical data - IP addresses, browser types, how you found us. Standard website stuff that helps us keep the site running smoothly.
  • Communication records - Emails, phone calls, meeting notes. We keep track of conversations so nothing falls through the cracks during your project.

How We Use Your Info

Here's where your data goes and why:

Project Work

Creating designs, getting permits, coordinating with contractors. Y'know, the actual architecture stuff you hired us for.

Communication

Sending updates, answering questions, scheduling site visits. Keeping you in the loop throughout the whole process.

Legal Compliance

Meeting Canadian building codes, municipal requirements, professional standards. The boring-but-necessary regulations stuff.

Improving Our Services

Understanding what clients need, making our processes better, keeping our website functional. Always learning, always improving.

Who Gets to See Your Data

We're not selling your info to random marketing companies or whatever. But there are some folks who might need access:

  • Our team - Obviously. The architects, designers, and support staff working on your project.
  • Contractors & consultants - Structural engineers, sustainability experts, construction crews. Can't build without 'em.
  • Government agencies - Building departments, heritage commissions when we're doing restoration work. Required for permits and approvals.
  • Legal & financial pros - Our lawyers and accountants. Standard business operations stuff.
  • Service providers - Email hosting, cloud storage, project management software. Tech tools that keep us organized.

Important: Anyone who gets access signs confidentiality agreements. They're bound by the same privacy standards we follow.

Cookies & Website Tracking

Yeah, our website uses cookies. Not the chocolate chip kind, unfortunately.

These little files help us understand how people use the site—which pages are popular, where folks get stuck, that kinda thing. We use Google Analytics for basic stats. If you wanna block cookies, your browser settings can handle that, though some features might not work as smoothly.

How Long We Keep Your Stuff

This varies depending on what we're talking about:

  • Active project files - Throughout the project and for 7 years after completion. Canadian architectural standards require this for professional liability reasons.
  • Heritage restoration work - Potentially forever. These projects are historically significant, and future generations might need the documentation.
  • General inquiries - If you reach out but don't move forward, we'll keep your info for about 2 years in case you change your mind.
  • Financial records - 7 years minimum for tax purposes. Revenue Canada's rules, not ours.

Your Rights—Actually Using Them

Under Canadian privacy laws (PIPEDA for the legal eagles), you've got some solid rights:

  • Access: You can ask to see what info we've got on you.
  • Correction: If something's wrong, we'll fix it.
  • Deletion: Want us to erase your data? We can do that in most cases (legal requirements might prevent complete deletion).
  • Portability: Need your data in a transferable format? Just ask.
  • Withdrawal of consent: Change your mind about something? Let us know.

To exercise any of these rights, shoot us an email at info@mystralonforgequint.info or call us at (604) 555-0142. We'll get back to you within 30 days.

Security Measures

We take reasonable precautions to protect your info:

  • Encrypted connections (SSL) when you're browsing our site
  • Password-protected systems and secure cloud storage
  • Limited staff access—only people who need it for their work
  • Regular security updates and backups
  • Physical security at our Vancouver office

That said, no system's 100% bulletproof. We do our best, but the internet being what it is, we can't guarantee absolute security. If there's ever a data breach, we'll notify you and the Privacy Commissioner as required by law.

Third-Party Links

Sometimes we'll link to other websites—suppliers, manufacturers, inspiration sources, whatever. Once you click away from our site, this privacy policy doesn't apply anymore. Those sites have their own policies, so check 'em out if you're concerned.

Changes to This Policy

We'll update this page if our practices change or if laws require it. When we make significant changes, we'll put a notice on the website and update the "last updated" date at the top. For major changes affecting active clients, we'll reach out directly.

Questions or Concerns?

If something here doesn't make sense or you've got privacy concerns, don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to help, not hide behind legal jargon.

Contact Our Privacy Officer:

Email: info@mystralonforgequint.info

Phone: (604) 555-0142

Mail: 1420 West Georgia Street, Suite 850, Vancouver, BC V6G 2Z3

If you're not satisfied with how we handle your concern, you can also file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada at www.priv.gc.ca

Thanks for taking the time to read through this. We know it's not the most exciting stuff, but your trust means everything to us.