Privacy Policy

How we collect, use and protect your personal information under UK GDPR.

Last updated: March 2026

1. Who We Are

Chimney Geek Limited ("Chimney Geeks", "we", "us", "our") is the data controller responsible for your personal data. We provide chimney sweeping, chimney repairs, chimney rebuilds, chimney takedowns, wood burning stove installations and roofing services across Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and the wider Dorset area.

2. What Personal Data We Collect

We collect personal data in a number of ways when you interact with us. The categories of data we may hold include:

  • Identity data — your name.
  • Contact data — email address, telephone number, property address.
  • Enquiry data — details you provide when requesting a quote or describing work you need.
  • Communication data — records of correspondence via email, phone, our website contact form, or WhatsApp.
  • Technical data — IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, and referral source (collected automatically when you browse our website).
  • Cookie data — see the Cookies section below.

We do not collect any special category (sensitive) personal data.

3. How We Collect Your Data

We receive your personal data through:

  • Direct interactions — when you complete our website contact form, telephone us, email us, message us on WhatsApp, or speak to us in person.
  • Automated technologies — as you browse our website, we automatically collect technical data through cookies and similar technologies.
  • Third parties — we may receive your information via Checkatrade or other trade platforms if you contact us through those services.

4. Legal Basis for Processing

Under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), we must have a lawful basis for processing your personal data. We rely on the following:

  • Contract — processing is necessary to fulfil a contract with you or to take steps at your request before entering into a contract (e.g. providing a quote, scheduling a chimney sweep, or completing an installation).
  • Legitimate interests — processing is necessary for our legitimate business interests, such as responding to enquiries, improving our services, and maintaining business records, provided these interests do not override your rights.
  • Consent — where you have given clear consent for us to process your data for a specific purpose, such as accepting non-essential cookies or opting in to marketing communications. You may withdraw consent at any time.
  • Legal obligation — processing is necessary for us to comply with a legal obligation (e.g. tax and accounting records).

5. How We Use Your Data

We use your personal data for the following purposes:

  • Responding to enquiries submitted via our contact form, phone, email, or WhatsApp.
  • Preparing and delivering quotations for chimney and roofing work.
  • Arranging, scheduling, and carrying out our services.
  • Communicating with you about bookings, appointments, and job updates.
  • Maintaining internal business records and accounts.
  • Improving our website and services.
  • Complying with legal and regulatory obligations.

6. WhatsApp Communications

Our website includes a WhatsApp chat widget that allows you to contact us directly. When you initiate a WhatsApp conversation with us:

  • Your phone number and any information you share in the conversation are processed by WhatsApp (operated by Meta Platforms, Inc.).
  • WhatsApp applies its own privacy policy and end-to-end encryption to messages.
  • We may retain WhatsApp messages for the purposes of managing your enquiry or booking and for our business records.
  • By choosing to message us on WhatsApp, you acknowledge that your data will be processed in accordance with WhatsApp's Privacy Policy.

7. Cookies

Our website uses cookies in accordance with the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR). Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit our website.

Types of cookies we use

  • Strictly necessary cookies — these are essential for the website to function and cannot be switched off. They include cookies that maintain your session and any cookie consent preferences you have set.
  • Analytics cookies — these help us understand how visitors use our website by collecting anonymous usage data (e.g. pages visited, time on site). We use this information to improve our website. These cookies are only set with your consent.
  • Functionality cookies — these remember choices you make (such as form preferences) to provide a more personalised experience. These cookies are only set with your consent.

Managing cookies

You can control and delete cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to refuse cookies or delete existing ones. Please note that disabling strictly necessary cookies may affect the functionality of our website. For more information on cookies, visit allaboutcookies.org.

8. Third-Party Services

We use a limited number of third-party services that may process your data:

  • Google Fonts — our website loads fonts from Google's servers. Google may collect your IP address when fonts are delivered. See Google's Privacy Policy.
  • WhatsApp (Meta) — used for direct customer communication. See section 6 above.
  • Checkatrade — we are listed on Checkatrade, which may share your contact details with us if you enquire through their platform. See Checkatrade's Privacy Policy.

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data with third parties for marketing purposes. We only share data with third parties where necessary to deliver our services, comply with a legal obligation, or with your consent.

9. Data Sharing

Your personal data may be shared with:

  • Our employees and subcontractors, where necessary to provide our services.
  • Professional advisors (e.g. accountants), where required for business administration.
  • Regulatory bodies or law enforcement, where required by law.

We require all third parties to respect the security of your personal data and to treat it in accordance with the law. We do not permit third parties to use your data for their own purposes unless you have been informed and given consent.

10. Data Retention

We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected. Our general retention periods are:

  • Enquiry and quote data — up to 12 months from the date of your last interaction, unless a booking is made.
  • Customer and contract data — up to 6 years after the completion of work, in line with HMRC requirements and limitation periods.
  • Communication records (email, phone, WhatsApp) — up to 6 years after the last interaction or completion of work.
  • Cookie data — varies by cookie type; analytics cookies typically expire within 2 years.

When data is no longer required, it is securely deleted or anonymised.

11. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

  • SSL/TLS encryption on our website.
  • Secure storage of electronic records.
  • Limiting access to personal data to those who need it for legitimate business purposes.

While we take all reasonable precautions, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee the absolute security of your data.

12. Your Rights Under UK GDPR

Under the UK General Data Protection Regulation, you have the following rights in relation to your personal data:

  • Right of access — you can request a copy of the personal data we hold about you (known as a Subject Access Request).
  • Right to rectification — you can ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete personal data.
  • Right to erasure — you can ask us to delete your personal data where there is no compelling reason for us to continue processing it.
  • Right to restrict processing — you can ask us to suspend processing of your personal data in certain circumstances.
  • Right to data portability — you can request that we transfer your personal data to you or to another organisation in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format.
  • Right to object — you can object to our processing of your personal data where we rely on legitimate interests as the legal basis.
  • Right to withdraw consent — where processing is based on your consent, you can withdraw it at any time without affecting the lawfulness of processing carried out before withdrawal.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@chimneygeeks.co.uk or call us on 01202 985 030. We will respond to your request within one month, as required by law.

There is no fee for making a request, unless the request is manifestly unfounded or excessive.

13. Complaints

We take your privacy seriously. If you are unhappy with how we have handled your personal data, please contact us first so we can try to resolve the matter.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):

  • Website: ico.org.uk
  • Helpline: 0303 123 1113
  • Address: Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF

14. Contact Us for Data Queries

If you have any questions about this privacy policy or how we handle your personal data, please contact us:

15. Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised "last updated" date. We encourage you to review this page periodically.