Effective date: October 21, 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how RC Ellens collects, uses, stores, and protects personal information submitted through this website or provided when you contact us about real estate appraisal services.
Information We Collect
We may collect information you choose to provide, including your name, phone number, email address, property address, message details, and any documents or property information you send to us.
The website may also collect basic technical information, such as browser type, device type, pages visited, referral source, and approximate usage data through standard hosting, analytics, or security tools.
How We Use Information
We use personal information to:
- respond to inquiries and appraisal requests;
- prepare quotes and discuss potential engagements;
- provide appraisal and consulting services where an engagement is accepted;
- maintain business, legal, accounting, and professional records;
- improve the website and protect it from misuse; and
- meet legal, regulatory, and professional obligations.
Sharing Information
We do not sell personal information. We may share information with service providers who help operate the website, process forms, host data, manage communications, or support our business. We may also disclose information where required by law, professional obligations, a court order, or a regulatory process.
Website Forms and Phone Number Checks
Netlify hosts this website and processes and stores contact form submissions. We receive email notifications of inquiries. We also use Twilio to send our team an SMS notification containing the name and phone number supplied with a submitted inquiry.
When you enter a phone number and leave that field, the website may send the number to Twilio Lookup to check its carrier status. This can happen before you submit the form. The check does not send you a text or call and does not establish ownership of the number. If a status cannot be confirmed, you can still submit your inquiry.
To avoid repeated checks, we reuse definitive carrier-status results for up to 15 minutes. The lookup cache uses a keyed, hashed identifier instead of storing the phone number in plain text. Expired results are no longer used; expiry does not automatically delete the stored cache record. Form submissions and notifications may still contain your contact details so we can respond to you.
These providers may process information outside Canada. Their handling of information is also subject to their service terms and privacy policies:Netlify andTwilio.
Appraisal Information
Information provided for an appraisal may include property, ownership, transaction, lender, tenant, borrower, or third-party details. If we accept an appraisal engagement, that information may be handled under separate engagement terms, professional standards, and report limitations.
Cookies and Analytics
The website may use cookies, analytics, hosting logs, or similar technologies to understand website traffic, maintain security, and improve performance. You can adjust cookie settings in your browser, though some website features may not function as intended.
Third-Party Links
The website may link to third-party websites, maps, review platforms, or other services. Their privacy practices are governed by their own policies.
Retention and Security
We keep personal information only as long as reasonably needed for the purposes described in this policy, unless a longer period is required for legal, business, or professional reasons. We use reasonable safeguards to protect information, but no website, email, or online form can be guaranteed completely secure.
Access and Correction
You may contact us to request access to, or correction of, personal information we hold about you, subject to legal and professional limitations.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The updated version will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.
Contact
Questions about this Privacy Policy may be directed to:
R.C. Ellens
Email: benellens@rcellens.ca
Phone: 905-704-0909
Mailing address: 33 Maywood Avenue, St. Catharines, ON L2R 1C5