Cookie Policy

Last Updated: May 24, 2025

This Cookie Policy explains how renovationpro.live ("we", "us", or "our") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies when you visit our website. It describes what these technologies are, why we use them, and your rights to control our use of them. This policy is designed to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and applicable Canadian privacy laws, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).

By continuing to browse or use our website, you consent to the use of cookies as described in this policy, subject to your individual cookie preferences. You can change or withdraw your consent at any time by adjusting your cookie settings through the cookie consent banner or by contacting us.

1. Introduction & Scope

renovationpro.live is a platform dedicated to connecting homeowners, contractors, and renovation professionals across Canada. We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring transparency about how we collect and process data. This Cookie Policy applies to all visitors, users, and customers who access or interact with our website at https://www.renovationpro.live (the "Site").

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, tablet, smartphone) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, provide a better user experience, and give website owners insight into how their site is being used. This policy covers both first-party cookies (set by us) and third-party cookies (set by other services we use).

Under GDPR, cookies that are not strictly necessary for the functioning of the website require your prior consent. In Canada, PIPEDA requires meaningful consent for the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information. We treat cookie data that can identify you (directly or indirectly) as personal information and handle it accordingly.

2. What Are Cookies and Similar Technologies?

Cookies are not the only way to recognize or track visitors. We may also use other, similar technologies from time to time, such as web beacons (also known as "tracking pixels"), Flash cookies, and local storage. This policy refers to all such technologies collectively as "cookies" for simplicity.

  • First-Party Cookies: Set directly by renovationpro.live and can only be read by our website. These are essential for the site to function correctly, such as remembering your login status or language preferences.
  • Third-Party Cookies: Set by domains other than renovationpro.live. These are used for analytics, advertising, and social media integration. For example, we use Google Analytics to understand how users interact with our site, and Facebook pixels for targeted advertising.
  • Session Cookies: Temporary cookies that expire and delete automatically when you close your browser. They are used to store information during a single browsing session.
  • Persistent Cookies: Remain on your device for a set period (e.g., 30 days, 1 year) or until you manually delete them. They help us remember your preferences and actions across multiple visits.

3. Categories of Cookies We Use

We categorize cookies based on their function and purpose. Below is a detailed breakdown of each category, including examples of specific cookies and their typical lifespan.

3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are essential for the operation of our website and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually set only in response to actions you take, such as logging in, filling in forms, or setting privacy preferences. You cannot opt out of these cookies, but you can set your browser to block them, which may affect site functionality. We do not require your consent for these cookies under GDPR, as they are necessary for the provision of the service.

Examples include:

  • Session ID cookie (renovationpro_session) – persists for the duration of your browsing session.
  • CSRF token cookie – security feature to prevent cross-site request forgery, session-based.
  • Cookie consent preference cookie (cookie_consent) – stores your cookie consent preferences, persists for 1 year.

3.2 Performance and Analytics Cookies

These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies, we will not know when you have visited our site and will not be able to monitor its performance.

Examples include:

  • Google Analytics (_ga, _gid, _gat) – used to distinguish unique users and throttle request rate. _ga persists for 2 years, _gid for 24 hours, _gat for 1 minute.
  • Hotjar (_hjSessionUser, _hjSession) – used to analyze user behavior through heatmaps and session recordings. _hjSessionUser persists for 1 year, _hjSession for 30 minutes.

3.3 Functional Cookies

These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, some or all of these services may not function properly.

Examples include:

  • Language preference cookie (lang) – remembers your selected language choice, persists for 30 days.
  • Region/geolocation cookie (region) – helps prefill location-based content (e.g., province-specific renovation regulations), persists for 1 year.
  • Saved search filters (saved_filters) – stores your preferred search criteria for contractor listings, persists for 30 days.

3.4 Targeting and Advertising Cookies

These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.

Examples include:

  • Facebook Pixel (fr, _fbp) – used for ad delivery and measurement. _fbp persists for 3 months, fr for 3 months.
  • Google Ads (NID, _gcl_au) – used for conversion tracking and remarketing. NID persists for 6 months, _gcl_au for 3 months.
  • LinkedIn Insight Tag (UserMatchHistory, li_sugr) – used for ad targeting and analytics. li_sugr persists for 3 months.

3.5 Social Media Cookies

These cookies are set by social media services we have added to the site to enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They are capable of tracking your browser across other sites and building up a profile of your interests. This may impact the content and messages you see on other websites you visit.

Examples include:

  • Twitter (personalization_id) – persists for 2 years.
  • Instagram (sessionid) – session-based.

4. How We Use Cookie Data

We use the information collected through cookies for the following purposes:

  1. Website Operations and Security: To authenticate users, prevent fraudulent activity, and maintain the security of our platform. Strictly necessary cookies are essential for this.
  2. User Experience Optimization: To remember your preferences (e.g., language, region, saved searches) and provide a seamless browsing experience. Functional cookies support this.
  3. Analytics and Performance Measurement: To understand how users navigate our site, identify technical issues, and improve our content and layout. Analytics cookies provide aggregated, anonymized insights.
  4. Advertising and Marketing: To deliver relevant advertisements to you on our platform and third-party sites, measure the effectiveness of our ad campaigns, and perform retargeting. Advertising cookies enable this.
  5. Social Media Integration: To enable sharing of our content via social media platforms and track the performance of social campaigns. Social media cookies facilitate this.

5. Your Consent and Your Rights Under GDPR and Canadian Law

Under the GDPR, you have the right to:

  • Be Informed: This policy provides transparent information about our use of cookies.
  • Withdraw Consent: You can withdraw your consent for non-essential cookies at any time by adjusting your cookie preferences through the cookie settings link in the footer of our website or by contacting us.
  • Object: You have the right to object to the processing of your personal data for direct marketing purposes, including profiling related to such marketing.
  • Access and Portability: You can request a copy of the data processed via cookies by contacting us (see Section 12).
  • Erasure (Right to be Forgotten): You can request deletion of personal data, including cookie data, subject to certain legal exceptions.

Under Canadian privacy laws (PIPEDA and provincial legislation), you have the right to:

  • Meaningful Consent: Consent must be obtained in a clear and understandable manner, which is why we provide a cookie consent banner and this detailed policy.
  • Access and Correction: You can request access to and correction of your personal information held by us.
  • Withdraw Consent: You can withdraw your consent to the collection, use, or disclosure of your personal information at any time, subject to legal or contractual restrictions.

How to exercise your rights: You can manage your cookie preferences at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in the footer of our website. For any other requests related to your personal data, please contact our Data Protection Officer using the details in Section 12.

6. Specific Cookies Used by renovationpro.live (Detailed Table)

Below is a comprehensive, non-exhaustive list of cookies we may use on our Site. Cookie names, lifespans, and purposes may change as we update our services. We recommend checking this policy periodically.

Cookie Name Provider Category Purpose Lifespan
renovationpro_session First-party Strictly Necessary Maintains your session state as you navigate the site. Session
cookie_consent First-party Strictly Necessary Stores your cookie consent preferences. 1 year
_ga Google Analytics Analytics Distinguishes unique users and provides analytics data. 2 years
_gid Google Analytics Analytics Distinguishes unique users over short periods. 24 hours
_gat Google Analytics Analytics Throttles request rates to limit data collection. 1 minute
_hjSessionUser Hotjar Analytics Identifies a unique user across sessions for analytics. 1 year
_hjSession Hotjar Analytics Holds current session data for analytics. 30 minutes
lang First-party Functional Remembers your language preference. 30 days
region First-party Functional Prepopulates region-specific content. 1 year
saved_filters First-party Functional Stores your saved search filters. 30 days
_fbp Facebook Advertising Used for ad delivery, measurement, and retargeting. 3 months
fr Facebook Advertising Used for ad frequency capping and fraud detection. 3 months
NID Google Ads Advertising Used for remarketing and conversion tracking. 6 months
_gcl_au Google Ads Advertising Used for conversion tracking and ad optimization. 3 months
UserMatchHistory LinkedIn Advertising Used for ad targeting and analytics. 3 months
li_sugr LinkedIn Advertising Used for browser-based ad targeting. 3 months
personalization_id Twitter Social Media Used for sharing content and ad targeting. 2 years
sessionid Instagram Social Media Maintains login session for social sharing. Session

7. Third-Party Services and Data Sharing

We engage with several third-party service providers who may place cookies on your device through our Site. These providers are carefully selected and contractually bound to comply with GDPR and Canadian privacy laws. They have their own privacy policies governing their use of your data. We encourage you to review these policies for more details.

  • Google Analytics & Google Ads: Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
  • Facebook/Meta: Data Policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/explanation
  • Hotjar: Privacy Policy: https://www.hotjar.com/legal/policies/privacy
  • LinkedIn: Privacy Policy: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy
  • Twitter/X: Privacy Policy: https://twitter.com/en/privacy
  • Instagram: Privacy Policy: https://help.instagram.com/519522125107875

These third parties may use cookies to collect information about your online activities over time and across different websites. We do not control these third-party cookies, and their use is governed by the privacy policies of the third parties placing them.

8. How to Manage and Delete Cookies

You have several options to manage or disable cookies:

8.1 Cookie Consent Banner

When you first visit our Site, a cookie consent banner will appear. You can choose to accept all cookies, reject all non-essential cookies, or customize your preferences for each category (Analytics, Functional, Advertising, Social Media). Your preference will be stored via the cookie_consent cookie.

8.2 Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can typically:

  • View cookies stored on your device and delete them individually.
  • Block all cookies from being set (this may break some site functionality).
  • Enable "Do Not Track" signals (though our site currently does not respond to DNT signals).

For specific instructions, consult your browser's help pages:

8.3 Opting Out of Targeted Advertising

You can opt out of interest-based advertising from participating companies through:

  • Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA) of Canada: https://youradchoices.ca
  • Your Online Choices (EU): https://www.youronlinechoices.com
  • Network Advertising Initiative (NAI): https://optout.networkadvertising.org

9. International Data Transfers

As a Canadian-based website serving users globally, including the European Economic Area (EEA), your cookie data may be transferred to and processed in countries outside your country of residence, including Canada and the United States. We ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place for such transfers, such as:

  • Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission.
  • Adequacy decisions by the European Commission (e.g., Canada is considered an adequate jurisdiction).
  • Binding Corporate Rules (where applicable).

By using our website and providing your consent, you acknowledge and agree to such transfers, subject to the safeguards described above.

10. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or technology. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy on this page with a new "Last Updated" date. In some cases, we may also notify you via email or a prominent notice on our Site. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Cookie Policy or our data practices, please contact our Data Protection Officer:

  • Email: privacy@renovationpro.live
  • Phone: +1 (800) 555-0199 (toll-free in Canada)
  • Mailing Address:
    Data Protection Officer
    renovationpro.live Inc.
    123 Main Street, Suite 400
    Toronto, ON M5V 2T1
    Canada

12. Complaints and Dispute Resolution

If you are unsatisfied with our response to your privacy concerns, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority. For EEA residents, you can contact your local supervisory authority. In Canada, you can file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC):

  • OPC Website: https://www.priv.gc.ca
  • Phone: 1-800-282-1376

We will cooperate with relevant authorities to resolve any disputes regarding your personal information.

Thank you for trusting renovationpro.live. We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring a transparent, secure online experience.