Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

Account information

When you create an account, we collect your email address and a password (stored as a hashed credential). You may optionally provide your full name and a mobile phone number for maintenance reminders.

Home profile data

You may enter details about your home, including address, city, home type, year built, square footage, number of occupants, heating and cooling systems, water heater type, plumbing and electrical information, roof age, photos, and additional notes. This is used to generate personalized maintenance recommendations.

Equipment and maintenance data

You may log equipment details (name, category, install date, age, last service date, notes, photos), maintenance tasks, service history records (service name, date, contractor, cost, notes, photos, invoices), and uploaded documents (invoices, receipts, warranties, manuals, reports, photos).

Service request data

When you request a contractor, we collect the service category, problem description, urgency level, preferred appointment time, photos, contact name, contact phone, contact email, and service address. This information is used to match you with contractors in your area.

Contractor application data

Contractors who apply to join the network provide company name, description, services offered, service areas, phone, website, and business details for review.

Usage and device data

We automatically collect limited technical data such as device type, app version, and interaction logs (e.g., page views, feature usage events) to operate, secure, and improve the service.

2. How We Use Your Information

• To create and manage your account and authenticate you.
• To generate AI-powered maintenance reports and reminders tailored to your home.
• To route and process contractor service requests and match you with local professionals.
• To operate the contractor lead marketplace, including lead distribution, payment verification, and access control.
• To send maintenance reminders via email and SMS (only if you opt in).
• To provide customer support and respond to your requests.
• To prevent fraud, abuse, and unauthorized access.
• To maintain business, payment, and dispute records as required by law.
• To improve, debug, and develop features and the overall service.

3. How Your Information Is Shared

With contractors

When you submit a service request, general job information (category, problem description, urgency, preferred time, city, and photos) is shared with matched contractors so they can decide whether to accept the job. Your sensitive contact details — phone number, email, and exact service address — remain locked and are not shared with a contractor until that contractor completes a server-verified marketplace purchase or an eligible Founding Partner free-lead redemption. Contractors must be verified and have lead access enabled before receiving any lead offers.

With payment processors (Stripe)

Contractor lead purchases are processed through Stripe. Payment card details are entered directly in Stripe's secure checkout — HomeGuard never sees or stores your full card number. We store transaction identifiers, payment status, and amount records to manage lead access, refunds, and billing. See Stripe's Privacy Policy for details.

With analytics providers

We use analytics to understand feature usage and app performance. Analytics data is aggregated and does not include your personal contact information or home address.

With infrastructure providers

We use cloud hosting, database, email, and SMS providers to operate the service. These providers process data on our behalf under data processing agreements and do not use your data for their own purposes.

Legal and safety obligations

We may disclose information when required by law, court order, or to protect the rights, safety, or property of HomeGuard, our users, or the public, including investigating fraud or security violations.

We do not sell your data

HomeGuard does not sell your personal information to third parties.

4. Data Storage and Security

Your data is stored on secure cloud infrastructure with access controls, encryption in transit (TLS), and role-based permissions. Homeowner data is protected by row-level security so that you can only access your own home profiles, tasks, service history, documents, and service requests. Contractor and lead data is restricted to authorized contractor accounts and administrators. Payment data is handled by Stripe and is not stored on our servers.

While we implement reasonable security measures, no system is perfectly secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your data.

5. Data Retention

We retain your data for as long as your account is active. If you request account deletion, we will delete your personal data within a reasonable period, except where we are legally required to retain certain records (e.g., payment and transaction records, fraud-prevention records, or records needed to resolve disputes).

6. Your Privacy Rights

You have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you.
• Correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Delete your account and associated personal data (see our Account Deletion page).
• Opt out of marketing and reminder communications at any time from your Profile settings or by contacting us.
• Withdraw consent for SMS reminders from your Profile settings.

To exercise any of these rights, contact support@rntplumbingandheating.ca.

7. Permissions the App Requests

• Camera and photo library: Used only when you choose to upload photos of equipment, documents, or service issues. The app does not access your camera without your action.
• Notifications: Used to send maintenance reminders and service request updates. You can disable notifications in your device settings at any time.
• Network access: Required to sync your data with your account and load contractor information.

The app does not request access to your location, contacts, microphone, or health data.

8. Children's Privacy

HomeGuard AI is not directed to children under 13 (or the applicable age in your jurisdiction) and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, contact us and we will delete it.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated policy in the app or on our website with a revised "Last updated" date.

10. Contact Us

For privacy questions, data access requests, or account deletion requests, contact us at support@rntplumbingandheating.ca or visit our Contact page.