Know My Cost ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your personal information in accordance with Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and applicable provincial privacy laws. This policy applies to all information collected through our website knowmycost.ca and our renovation and remodeling services.
Who We Are
Know My Cost is a licensed renovation and remodeling company headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada. We specialize in full house renovations, secondary suites, garden suites, multi-generational homes, and construction cost estimation services for residential and commercial properties across Ontario.
Our website at https://knowmycost.ca allows homeowners and clients to submit permit drawings, request quotations, and learn about our renovation services. By using our website or engaging our services, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this Privacy Policy.
Information We Collect
We collect personal information only when necessary and with your knowledge. The types of information we may collect include:
2.1 Information You Provide Directly
| Type of Information | How It's Collected | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| First Name | Contact / quotation form | To personalize communications |
| Phone Number | Contact / quotation form | To follow up on your inquiry |
| Email Address | Contact / quotation form | To send quotes and correspondence |
| Permit Documents | Uploaded via our website | To prepare accurate cost estimates |
| Project Details | Forms, consultations, meetings | To scope and deliver your renovation |
| Property Address | Consultation or contract process | To conduct site assessments |
| Payment Information | Billing and invoicing process | To process payments for services rendered |
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:
- IP address and general geographic location
- Browser type and operating system
- Pages visited and time spent on each page
- Referring website or search terms used to find us
- Date and time of your visit
Permit drawings and architectural plans submitted to us are used solely for the purpose of preparing your construction cost estimate. These documents are treated with the highest level of confidentiality and are never shared with third parties without your explicit consent.
How We Use Your Information
We use the personal information we collect for the following purposes:
3.1 Service Delivery
- To respond to your inquiries and requests for quotations
- To review your permit drawings and prepare cost estimates within 48 hours
- To schedule consultations and site visits
- To plan, manage, and deliver your renovation project
- To process payments and issue invoices
- To communicate project updates, milestones, and timelines
3.2 Business Operations
- To maintain business records and fulfill legal obligations
- To improve our services, processes, and website experience
- To respond to complaints, disputes, or warranty claims
- To verify your identity and prevent fraud
3.3 Communications (with consent)
- To send project updates and important service-related notices
- To send promotional messages, seasonal offers, or company news where you have consented in accordance with Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL)
- To request feedback or reviews after project completion
We will only send you marketing or promotional messages where you have given us your express or implied consent as required under CASL. You may withdraw your consent at any time by contacting us or using the unsubscribe option in any email we send.
How We Share Your Information
Know My Cost does not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share your information only in the following limited circumstances:
4.1 Service Providers
We may engage trusted third-party companies to assist in delivering our services, such as:
- Cloud storage and document management providers (for permit document storage)
- Website hosting and IT support providers
- Payment processing companies
- Communication tools (email platforms, SMS providers)
All third-party service providers are contractually required to protect your information and use it only for the specific purpose for which it was shared.
4.2 Legal Obligations
We may disclose your information if required to do so by applicable law, regulation, court order, or governmental authority, or where necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of Know My Cost, our clients, or the public.
4.3 Business Transfers
In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or part of our business assets, personal information may be transferred to the acquiring entity, subject to the same privacy protections described in this policy.
We do not sell, rent, or otherwise monetize your personal information to any third party for their marketing or commercial purposes.
Cookies & Tracking Technologies
Our website (knowmycost.ca) may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience and gather analytical data.
Types of Cookies We May Use
| Cookie Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | Required for the website to function (forms, navigation) | Session |
| Analytics | Help us understand how visitors use our website | Up to 2 years |
| Preference | Remember your settings and preferences | Up to 1 year |
You can control or disable cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect your ability to use some features of our website. For more information about managing cookies, visit allaboutcookies.org.
Data Retention
We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, and in accordance with applicable legal, accounting, and regulatory requirements:
- Client project records — retained for a minimum of 7 years following project completion (for tax, warranty, and legal purposes)
- Permit documents and drawings — retained for the duration of the project and up to 2 years thereafter
- Quotation and inquiry records — retained for 2 years if a project is not awarded
- Marketing communications — consent records retained indefinitely; contact data removed within 30 days of unsubscribe request
- Website analytics data — retained for up to 2 years in aggregated, anonymized form
When personal information is no longer required, we securely destroy or anonymize it.
How We Protect Your Data
We are committed to safeguarding your personal information and have implemented technical, administrative, and physical security measures, including:
- Encrypted data transmission using SSL/TLS technology (HTTPS)
- Secure, password-protected systems with restricted employee access
- Limiting access to personal information to employees who need it to do their jobs
- Secure storage of physical documents and project files
- Regular review of our information collection, storage, and processing practices
While we take reasonable precautions to protect your information, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure. In the event of a data breach that poses a real risk of significant harm, we will notify affected individuals and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada as required by PIPEDA.
Your Rights
As a resident of Canada, you have the following rights with respect to your personal information under PIPEDA:
Right to Access
Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you and how it is being used.
Right to Correction
Request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete personal information.
Right to Withdraw Consent
Withdraw consent for us to use your information for marketing at any time.
Right to Complain
File a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada if you believe your rights have been violated.
How to Exercise Your Rights
To exercise any of the rights above, please contact our Privacy Officer at:
- 📧 Email: admin@knowmycost.ca
- 📞 Phone: +1 (416) 989-7820
- 📮 Mail: 2233 Argentia Road,
East Tower, Suite 302
Mississauga, ON L5N 2X7
We will respond to all legitimate requests within 30 days. For complex requests, we may require up to 60 days and will notify you of the extension.
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may contact the OPC at 1-800-282-1376 or visit www.priv.gc.ca.
Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites, social media platforms (such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube), or partner services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these external sites.
We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit through links on our site. This Privacy Policy applies only to knowmycost.ca and our direct services.
Children's Privacy
Our website and services are intended for adults aged 18 years and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under the age of 18. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected such information, we will take prompt steps to delete it.
If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a minor, please contact us immediately at admin@knowmycost.ca.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make material changes, we will:
- Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
- Post a notice on our website homepage for 30 days
- Notify registered clients by email where appropriate
We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically. Your continued use of our website or services after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or the handling of your personal information, please contact us:
| Company Name | Know My Cost |
| Privacy Officer | Know My Cost Management |
| Address | 2233 Argentia Road, East Tower, Suite 302 Mississauga, ON L5N 2X7, Canada |
| admin@knowmycost.ca | |
| Phone | +1 (416) 989-7820 |
| Website | https://knowmycost.ca |
| Response Time | Within 30 business days |
