PRIVACY POLICY

Effective Date: February 1, 2025

1. INTRODUCTION

This Privacy Policy (“Policy”) describes how S. Flynn Design and Build (“Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), a design and construction firm specializing in residential and commercial projects, collects, uses, shares, and protects personal information obtained from individuals (“you” or “your”) through our website, in-person interactions, and project management tools. This Policy applies to our operations in [insert specific jurisdiction(s)]. By engaging our services or using our website, you consent to the practices described in this Policy.

2. INFORMATION COLLECTION

2.1 Types of Personal Information Collected

We collect only the personal information necessary for our business operations, including:

  1. Contact information (e.g., name, address, email address, phone number)
  2. Financial information (e.g., payment details, bank account information) for project-related transactions
  3. Project-specific information (e.g., property details, design preferences, project requirements, architectural plans, site surveys, material specifications)
  4. Professional or employment-related information relevant to the project
  5. Internet or other electronic network activity information related to website usage
  6. Visual documentation (e.g., photographs, videos) of ongoing or completed projects, subject to client consent

2.2 Methods of Collection

We collect personal information through:

  1. Our website forms and online interactions
  2. In-person consultations and meetings with clients and potential clients
  3. Telephone or email communications related to projects or inquiries
  4. Project management software and tools used in our design and construction processes
  5. Site visits and surveys conducted during the project lifecycle

2.3 Automatic Data Collection

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to collect certain information automatically, including:

  1. IP address
  2. Browser type and language
  3. Access times
  4. Pages viewed

You may disable cookies through your browser settings, but doing so may affect the functionality of our website.

3. USE OF INFORMATION

We use the collected personal information for the following specific purposes:

  1. Preparing design proposals and construction plans tailored to client requirements
  2. Communicating with clients regarding project updates, changes, and approvals
  3. Processing payments for services rendered and managing project-related financial transactions
  4. Complying with legal and regulatory obligations specific to the design and construction industry
  5. Protecting our rights and property in relation to our services
  6. Marketing our design and construction services to potential clients, subject to your right to opt-out
  7. Improving our services and developing new offerings based on aggregated and anonymized data

4. INFORMATION SHARING AND DISCLOSURE

4.1 Third-Party Sharing

We may share your personal information with the following categories of third parties, only as necessary for project completion and business operations:

  1. Subcontractors and suppliers directly involved in your project (e.g., electricians, plumbers, carpenters)
  2. Financial institutions for processing project-related payments
  3. Professional service providers (e.g., attorneys, accountants, architects, engineers) on a need-to-know basis
  4. Government agencies for permits, inspections, and regulatory compliance (e.g., local planning authorities, building inspectors)
  5. Insurance providers for project-related coverage

4.2 Disclosure Circumstances

We may disclose your personal information:

  1. With your explicit consent
  2. To comply with legal obligations, such as responding to valid subpoenas or court orders
  3. To protect our rights, privacy, safety, or property in relation to our design and construction services
  4. In the event of a business transfer or merger affecting our company

4.3 Cross-Border Data Transfers

In cases where we operate across multiple jurisdictions, we may transfer your personal data across borders. We ensure that such transfers comply with applicable data protection laws and implement appropriate safeguards, such as standard contractual clauses or binding corporate rules, to protect your information.

5. DATA SECURITY MEASURES

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information throughout the project lifecycle, including:
  1.  Encryption of sensitive data, including design plans and financial information
  2. Secure storage of physical documents related to projects in locked cabinets with restricted access
  3. Access controls and authentication measures for our project management systems
  4. Regular security assessments and updates of our data protection protocols
  5. Employee training on data protection and confidentiality obligations
  6. Confidentiality agreements with subcontractors and third-party service providers
  7. Secure disposal of project-related documents and data when no longer needed

While we strive to protect your personal information, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your data.

6. USER RIGHTS AND CHOICES

Subject to applicable law in [insert jurisdiction(s)], you may have the right to:

  1. Access your personal information held by our company
  2. Correct inaccurate personal information related to your project or account
  3. Request deletion of your personal information, subject to our legal retention requirements
  4. Object to or restrict certain processing activities related to your data
  5. Receive a copy of your project-related personal information in a structured, machine-readable format
  6. Withdraw consent for processing where consent is the basis for processing

To exercise these rights or to opt-out of marketing communications, please contact us using the information provided in Section 11. We will respond to your request in accordance with applicable law, typically within 30 days.

Limitations on these rights may apply, for example, if fulfilling your request would reveal personal information about another person, or if you ask us to delete information which we are required by law to keep or have compelling legitimate interests in keeping.

7. DATA RETENTION

We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Our retention practices are as follows:

  1. Active project data: Retained for the duration of the project and for [insert specific timeframe, e.g., “7 years”] after project completion
  2. Completed project data: Retained for [insert specific timeframe, e.g., “7 years”] after project completion to comply with warranty obligations, potential legal claims, and industry-specific requirements
  3. Financial records: Retained for [insert specific timeframe, e.g., “7 years”] as required by tax and accounting regulations
  4. Marketing data: Retained until you opt-out or request deletion, subject to our legitimate business interests.

8. INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC DATA PROTECTION MEASURES

As a design and construction firm, we implement additional measures to protect sensitive project information:

  1. Building Information Modeling (BIM) data: Stored on secure, access-controlled servers with regular backups
  2. CAD files and architectural plans: Protected by encryption and access restrictions
  3. Project management tools: Utilize role-based access controls to ensure data is accessible only to authorized personnel
  4. Site documentation: Securely stored with restricted access and used only for project-related purposes.

9. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

9.1 Client-Provided Designs

Any designs, plans, or specifications provided by you remain your intellectual property. We will use these materials solely for the purpose of completing your project and will not use or disclose them for any other purpose without your explicit consent.

9.2 Company-Created Designs

All designs, plans, and specifications created by S. Flynn Design and Build in the course of a project are our intellectual property. Upon full payment for our services, you will be granted a non-exclusive, perpetual license to use these designs for the specific project for which they were created.

10. WARRANTY AND MAINTENANCE PERIOD DATA PRACTICES

During the warranty and maintenance period following project completion:

  1. We retain relevant project data to honor warranty obligations and provide maintenance services
  2. Access to your project information is limited to personnel involved in warranty or maintenance activities
  3. We may collect additional data related to warranty claims or maintenance requests, which will be subject to this Policy
  4. You may request updates to your project information to reflect changes made during the warranty or maintenance period

11. CHANGES TO THE PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Policy at any time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated Policy on our website and updating the effective date. For significant changes, we will provide additional notice, such as an email notification. Your continued use of our services after such modifications constitutes your acceptance of the updated Policy.

12. CONTACT INFORMATION

For privacy-related inquiries, to exercise your rights under this Policy, or to request access to your project data, please contact:

Privacy Officer
S. Flynn Design and Build
[Insert Address]
[Insert Email]
[Insert Phone Number]

13. COMPLIANCE WITH INDUSTRY REGULATIONS

S. Flynn Design and Build complies with all relevant building codes, safety regulations, and industry standards related to data protection, including [insert specific regulations relevant to your jurisdiction, e.g., “OSHA requirements, local building codes, and industry-specific data protection guidelines”]. We regularly review and update our practices to ensure ongoing compliance with these regulations.

14. EMPLOYEE DATA HANDLING

While this Policy primarily addresses client data, we also maintain strict protocols for handling employee data, especially for those working on client projects. Employee access to client information is granted on a need-to-know basis and is subject to confidentiality agreements. For more information on our employee data practices, please refer to our internal Employee Privacy Policy.

15. GOVERNING LAW

This Policy shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any disputes arising under or in connection with this Policy shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in the State of Ohio.

By using our services or website, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and agree to its terms. If you do not agree with this Policy, please do not use our services or provide us with your personal information.