Introduction
CarpenterPro ("we", "us", "our") is committed to protecting your personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 ("POPIA") and all applicable South African privacy legislation.
This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, why we collect it, how we use it, who we share it with, and what your rights are as a data subject.
By using our website or submitting any form on carpenterpro.co.za, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.
Who We Are
CarpenterPro is the Responsible Party as defined in POPIA. We operate a carpentry lead collection platform based in Bloemfontein, South Africa, connecting homeowners and businesses with verified local carpenters, and offering a Price Protection consultation service.
What Personal Information We Collect
We may collect the following personal information from you:
- Full name
- Phone number
- Email address
- Type of carpentry project you require
- Description of your project
- Preferred contact method (WhatsApp or Email)
- Whether you have an existing carpenter assigned
- Technical information such as your IP address, browser type, and pages visited (collected automatically via cookies)
We do not collect sensitive personal information as defined in POPIA (such as race, health information, political views, or biometric data).
How We Collect Your Information
We collect your personal information in the following ways:
- Directly from you when you complete a form on our website (Carpenter Request form or Price Protection Consultation form)
- Automatically through cookies and similar technologies when you visit our website
- Via communication when you contact us by phone, WhatsApp, or email
Why We Collect Your Information
We collect and process your personal information for the following lawful purposes:
- To match you with a verified local carpenter in Bloemfontein
- To facilitate communication between you and a carpenter
- To provide our Price Protection consultation service
- To contact you in response to your enquiry
- To send you relevant information about our services if you have consented
- To improve our website and services
- To comply with legal obligations
We will not process your personal information for any purpose other than those listed above without your prior consent.
Sharing Your Information
We may share your personal information with the following parties:
- Local carpenters in our network — We share your name, phone number, email address, and project description with a verified local carpenter in Bloemfontein for the sole purpose of facilitating a quote for your project.
- Service providers — We use trusted third-party service providers including Contact Form 7 (form processing), WordPress and associated plugins (website operation), and web hosting providers. These service providers are required to handle your information securely and may not use it for their own purposes.
- Legal authorities — We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to a valid request from a government authority.
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to any third party for marketing purposes.
Cross-Border Transfer of Information
Your personal information is stored and processed within South Africa. Should it ever be necessary to transfer your information outside the Republic of South Africa, we will only do so in compliance with Section 72 of POPIA, ensuring adequate protection is in place.
How Long We Keep Your Information
We retain your personal information only for as long as is necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by law.
- Carpenter request submissions — retained for 12 months from the date of submission
- Price Protection consultation enquiries — retained for 24 months
- Website usage data (cookies) — retained as set out in our Cookie Policy
Once your information is no longer required, we will delete or anonymise it securely.
How We Protect Your Information
We implement reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information against loss, theft, unauthorised access, disclosure, copying, use, or modification. These include:
- Secure HTTPS encryption on our website
- Access controls limiting who can view submitted forms
- Regular reviews of our information security practices
While we take all reasonable precautions, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. You provide your information at your own risk.
Cookies
Our website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience and analyse website traffic. A cookie is a small text file stored on your device. We use the following types of cookies:
- Essential cookies — necessary for the website to function
- Analytics cookies — help us understand how visitors use our website
- Functional cookies — remember your preferences
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our website. For full details, please refer to our Cookie Policy.
Your Rights as a Data Subject
Under POPIA, you have the following rights:
Contact Us to Make a Request
The Information Regulator
If you are unsatisfied with how we have handled your personal information, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa.
Information Regulator of South Africa
Website: www.inforegulator.org.za
Email: [email protected]
Address: JD House, 27 Stiemens Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2001
Phone: 010 023 5200
Third-Party Websites
Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites and encourage you to read their privacy policies before providing any personal information.
Children
Our services are not directed at children under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If you believe a minor has submitted information to us, please contact us immediately and we will delete it.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated date. We encourage you to review this page periodically. Continued use of our website after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
Contact Us
For any questions, concerns, or requests relating to this Privacy Policy or the handling of your personal information: