Privacy policy

This policy explains how Mills Building Consultancy ("we", "us") collects, uses, stores and protects personal data when you use this website or engage our surveying and consultancy services, and the rights you have over that data under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Who we are

Mills Building Consultancy is an independent building surveying and consultancy practice operated by Jarelle Mills, based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. For the purposes of data protection law, the data controller is Mills Building Consultancy.

For any query about your personal data, email hello@millsbuildingconsultancy.co.uk.

What data we collect and why

Enquiry form data

When you submit an enquiry we collect:

• Your name, email address and (optionally) phone number — to respond to your enquiry
• The property address and postcode — to check coverage, prepare a quote and, if instructed, carry out the work
• Property type, age band, service required, timescale and purchase price range — to recommend the right service and calibrate the quote
• How you heard about us (optional) — to understand which channels are useful
• Any additional details you provide

The lawful basis for this processing is legitimate interests (responding to a business enquiry you initiated) and, where you proceed to instruct us,performance of a contract.

Marketing communications

We only send marketing or newsletter emails if you have opted in (lawful basis:consent). You can withdraw consent at any time using the unsubscribe link in any email or by contacting us directly.

Client and engagement data

When you instruct us, we process the information needed to deliver the service: contact details, property information, inspection findings, photographs (including aerial photographs where drone services are used), reports and correspondence. Lawful basis: performance of a contract and legal obligation (professional and regulatory record-keeping).

Website usage data

This site uses essential cookies only by default. With your consent (via the cookie banner), anonymised analytics may be collected to understand how the site is used. You can decline analytics with no effect on your use of the site.

Third-party services we use

• Website hosting — this site is hosted by a third-party hosting provider; server logs (IP address, pages requested) may be processed for security and operation of the service.
• Resend — email delivery for enquiry notifications and confirmations. Your enquiry data passes through Resend's systems to deliver those emails.
• Analytics provider — only if you consent via the cookie banner; configured to anonymise IP addresses where the provider supports it.

We do not sell personal data, and we do not share it with third parties for their own marketing purposes.

Storage and retention

• Enquiries that do not proceed — retained for up to 12 months, then deleted.
• Client files (reports, inspection records, correspondence) — retained for at least 15 years, in line with professional indemnity insurance requirements and limitation periods applicable to surveying work.
• Marketing consents — retained until you withdraw consent.

Data is stored on access-controlled systems. Where data is processed outside the UK by a service provider (for example, email or hosting infrastructure), it is transferred under appropriate safeguards such as the UK International Data Transfer Agreement or adequacy regulations.

Your rights

Under UK GDPR you have the right to:

• Access — request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
• Rectification — have inaccurate data corrected
• Erasure — have data deleted where there is no overriding reason to retain it
• Restriction — limit how we process your data in certain circumstances
• Portability — receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format
• Objection — object to processing based on legitimate interests, and to direct marketing at any time
• Withdraw consent — where processing is based on consent

To exercise any of these rights, email hello@millsbuildingconsultancy.co.uk. We will respond within one month. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ico.org.uk, or 0303 123 1113) if you believe your data has been mishandled — though we would welcome the chance to resolve any concern directly first.

Cookies

Essential cookies (such as your cookie-consent choice) are used because the site cannot function properly without them. Analytics cookies are set only if you choose "Accept analytics" in the consent banner, and your choice is remembered. You can change your mind by clearing this site's data in your browser, which will re-display the banner.

Changes to this policy

This policy may be updated from time to time — the "last updated" date at the top shows the current version. Material changes will be highlighted on this page.