Privacy Policy
Last Updated: December 8, 2024
Introduction
M E Stewart Building Contractors ("we", "our", "us") is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or use our services.
We are registered in England and Wales and operate in compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
What Personal Data We Collect
We may collect and process the following types of personal data:
Contact Information
- Name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Postal address
Project Information
- Details about your building project or service requirements
- Property address and specifications
- Budget and timeline preferences
- Communication preferences
Technical Data
- IP address
- Browser type and version
- Device information
- Pages visited and time spent on pages
- Referring website addresses
Why We Collect Your Data
We collect and use your personal data for the following purposes:
Service Delivery
To provide quotes, schedule consultations, and deliver building services you have requested.
Communication
To respond to your inquiries, send project updates, and provide customer support.
Legal Obligations
To comply with legal requirements, including building regulations, health and safety, and tax obligations.
Website Improvement
To analyze website usage and improve our online services (only with your consent for analytics cookies).
Legal Basis for Processing
We process your personal data based on the following legal grounds:
- Consent: You have given clear consent for us to process your personal data for a specific purpose (e.g., marketing communications).
- Contract: Processing is necessary for a contract we have with you or because you have asked us to take specific steps before entering into a contract.
- Legal Obligation: Processing is necessary for us to comply with the law.
- Legitimate Interests: Processing is necessary for our legitimate interests or the legitimate interests of a third party, provided those interests are not overridden by your rights.
Who We Share Your Data With
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data. We may share your information with:
Service Providers
Trusted third parties who assist in operating our business (e.g., email services, website hosting). These providers are bound by confidentiality agreements.
Subcontractors & Partners
When necessary to deliver services you've requested, we may share project information with qualified subcontractors or material suppliers.
Legal Authorities
When required by law or to protect our rights, we may disclose information to law enforcement or regulatory bodies.
How Long We Store Your Data
We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy:
- Active Customers: For the duration of our business relationship and up to 7 years after completion for legal and warranty purposes.
- Inquiry Data: Up to 2 years if no service contract is established.
- Marketing Data: Until you withdraw consent or request deletion.
- Financial Records: Minimum of 6 years as required by UK tax law.
Your Rights Under GDPR
Under UK GDPR, you have the following rights:
Right to Access
Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
Right to Rectification
Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
Right to Erasure
Request deletion of your personal data (right to be forgotten).
Right to Restrict
Request restriction of processing in certain circumstances.
Right to Portability
Receive your data in a structured, commonly used format.
Right to Object
Object to processing based on legitimate interests or direct marketing.
Cookies
Our website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience. Cookies are small text files stored on your device. We use:
- Necessary Cookies: Essential for the website to function. These cannot be disabled.
- Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our site (requires your consent).
- Marketing Cookies: Used to deliver relevant advertising (requires your consent).
You can manage your cookie preferences at any time using our cookie consent banner or through your browser settings.
Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:
- Encrypted data transmission (SSL/TLS)
- Secure data storage with access controls
- Regular security assessments
- Staff training on data protection
- Confidentiality agreements with third parties
Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this page indicates when the policy was last revised. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your data protection rights, please contact us:
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's data protection authority, if you believe your data protection rights have been violated.