PRIVACY POLICY

Introduction

Brent Hocking Consulting Arborist ("we," "our," or "us") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website (bhconsultingarb.ca) or engage our professional services.

Information We Collect

Information You Provide to Us

We collect information that you voluntarily provide when you:

  • Submit inquiries through our contact forms

  • Send emails to brent@bhconsultingarb.ca

  • Call our business phone number

  • Engage our professional consulting services

  • Subscribe to communications or updates

This information may include:

  • Name

  • Email address

  • Phone number

  • Project location and details

  • Property information relevant to arboricultural consultation

  • Any other information you choose to provide

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, certain information is automatically collected, including:

  • Browser type and version

  • Operating system

  • IP address

  • Pages viewed and time spent on pages

  • Referring website

  • General geographic location (city/region level)

We use standard website analytics tools (including but not limited to Google Analytics and Squarespace Analytics) to collect this information.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

  • Respond to your inquiries and provide requested information

  • Deliver professional arboricultural consulting services

  • Communicate about projects, proposals, and service delivery

  • Send invoices and process payments

  • Maintain client relationship management records

  • Improve our website and service offerings

  • Comply with legal and professional obligations

  • Protect against fraudulent or illegal activity

Third-Party Service Providers

We use third-party service providers to support our business operations:

HubSpot CRM: We use HubSpot's free CRM platform to manage client relationships and track business communications. Information you provide through contact forms may be stored in HubSpot's systems. HubSpot's privacy policy is available at hubspot.com/privacy-policy.

Squarespace: Our website is hosted on Squarespace. Squarespace's privacy policy is available at squarespace.com/privacy.

Email Service: Business email communications are processed through standard email service providers.

Payment Processing: If applicable, payment information is processed through secure third-party payment processors. We do not store complete credit card information.

These service providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes we specify.

Disclosure of Your Information

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties.

We may disclose your information when:

  • Required by law, regulation, or legal process

  • Necessary to protect our rights, property, or safety

  • Required by professional liability insurance or professional associations

  • You provide explicit consent for disclosure

  • Necessary to deliver services you have requested (e.g., sharing site information with municipal authorities as part of permit applications)

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no internet transmission is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security of information transmitted through our website.

Your Rights and Choices

You have the right to:

  • Access the personal information we hold about you

  • Request correction of inaccurate information

  • Request deletion of your information (subject to legal and contractual obligations)

  • Opt out of marketing communications

  • Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent

To exercise these rights, contact us at brent@bhconsultingarb.ca or 647.339.7308.

Retention of Information

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:

  • Fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy

  • Comply with legal, accounting, and professional obligations

  • Resolve disputes and enforce agreements

Client project records are retained in accordance with professional standards and regulatory requirements for arboricultural consulting services.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The "Last Updated" date at the top indicates when changes were last made. Continued use of our website or services after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact Information

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, contact:

Brent Hocking Consulting Arborist
Email: brent@bhconsultingarb.ca
Phone: 647.339.7308
Service Area: Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada