Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 20, 2025

Introduction

Look, we get it – privacy policies can be a real slog to read through. But here at Onyx Valor Haven Architecture, we're pretty serious about respecting your privacy and being upfront about what happens with your info. We've tried to keep this as straightforward as possible, without all the legal mumbo-jumbo (well, mostly).

When you reach out to us about a project, browse our portfolio, or just poke around our website, you're trusting us with some of your personal details. That's not something we take lightly. This policy breaks down exactly what we collect, why we need it, and how we keep it safe.

Information We Collect

Contact Information

When you fill out a contact form or send us an email, we'll collect basics like your name, email address, phone number, and whatever details you share about your project. We need this stuff to actually respond to you – can't design your dream space if we can't reach you, right?

Project Details

If we're working together on a project, we'll gather more specific info – property addresses, site photos you send over, budget ranges, design preferences, that sort of thing. All this helps us understand what you're after and deliver something that actually fits your vision.

Website Usage Data

Like pretty much every website out there, we collect some technical data when you visit – IP addresses, browser types, which pages you check out, how long you stick around. Nothing creepy, just standard analytics to help us make the site better and understand what folks are interested in.

How We Use Your Information

We're not in the business of selling your data or spamming you with junk. Here's the real deal on what we do with your info:

  • Project Communication: Responding to inquiries, sending proposals, discussing design concepts, and keeping you updated throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Service Delivery: Actually doing the work – creating drawings, coordinating with contractors, managing permits, all the architectural stuff you're hiring us for.
  • Administrative Tasks: Invoicing, contracts, appointment scheduling – the boring but necessary backend stuff.
  • Occasional Updates: If you've opted in, we might send you a newsletter now and then showcasing recent projects or sharing insights on sustainable design. You can unsubscribe anytime – no hard feelings.
  • Legal Compliance: Sometimes we've gotta keep records for regulatory reasons or professional liability insurance requirements. It's part of being a licensed architectural firm in Canada.

Who We Share Data With

We're pretty protective of your information, but there are a few situations where we need to share it:

Project Collaborators

When we're working on your project, we'll share relevant details with engineers, contractors, consultants, and other professionals who need to be in the loop. They're bound by their own professional confidentiality obligations.

Service Providers

We use third-party tools for things like email hosting, cloud storage, and project management software. These providers have access to some data but they're contractually required to keep it confidential and secure.

Legal Requirements

If we're legally required to disclose information – like responding to a court order or complying with building code authorities – we'll do what's necessary. But we'll always notify you first unless we're prohibited from doing so.

Cookies & Tracking

Yeah, we use cookies – not the delicious kind, unfortunately. These are small files that help our website remember your preferences and track how people use the site. Most of what we use is pretty standard stuff:

  • Essential Cookies: These keep the site functioning properly. Can't really turn these off without breaking things.
  • Analytics Cookies: Help us understand which pages are popular, how long people visit, where they're coming from – useful for improving the site.
  • Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and choices so you don't have to re-enter them every time.

You can adjust your browser settings to block cookies if you want, though some features of the site might not work as smoothly. Your call.

Data Security

We take reasonable precautions to protect your information from unauthorized access, alteration, or destruction. That includes things like encrypted connections (that little padlock in your browser), secure servers, and limiting who on our team has access to sensitive data.

That said, no system is 100% bulletproof. We do our best, but we can't guarantee absolute security – that's just the reality of digital communication. If you're sharing something super sensitive, give us a call instead of emailing it.

Your Rights

Under Canadian privacy laws (PIPEDA, specifically), you've got some solid rights regarding your personal information:

  • Access: You can ask to see what personal data 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'll do it, unless we're legally required to keep it (like for tax purposes or professional records).
  • Objection: You can object to certain uses of your data, like marketing communications.
  • Portability: Need your data in a format you can transfer elsewhere? Just ask.

To exercise any of these rights, shoot us an email at info@onyxvalorhaven.info. We'll get back to you within 30 days, usually much sooner.

How Long We Keep Your Data

We don't keep information longer than necessary. For general inquiries that don't turn into projects, we'll usually delete your details after a year or so. For actual client projects, we're required by professional standards and insurance policies to keep records for at least seven years after project completion – that's pretty standard across the architecture industry in Canada.

Once the retention period's up and we don't have a legitimate reason to keep your data, we'll securely delete or anonymize it.

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 and think your child has somehow shared info with us, give us a shout and we'll delete it immediately.

Changes to This Policy

We might update this policy from time to time as our practices evolve or laws change. When we do, we'll update the "Last Updated" date at the top. If there are major changes, we'll try to give existing clients a heads-up via email.

It's worth checking back here occasionally if you're curious about updates.

Questions or Concerns?

If anything in this policy is unclear, or if you've got questions about how we handle your information, don't hesitate to reach out. We're real people and we're happy to chat about this stuff.

Get in Touch

Email: info@onyxvalorhaven.info

Phone: (604) 555-0187

Mail: 1245 Granville Street, Suite 420, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1M6

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.