Who I am
Tom Cave Plumbing & Heating is run by Thomas Cave, a sole trader based in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, NE26 (Gas Safe registered No. 985973). I'm responsible for the personal information described in this policy (the "data controller" under UK data protection law).
If you have any questions about your information, email info@tomcaveplumbingandheating.co.uk or call 07860 256795.
What information I collect
- When you contact me by the website forms, phone, email, text or through my Google Business Profile: your name, phone number, email address, house number or name, postcode, the details of the job, and any photos you choose to send.
- When you book or I carry out work: your full address, access arrangements, details of your boiler, heating and gas appliances, and the readings and records I'm required to keep, such as service reports and gas safety records.
- For landlords and letting agents: property addresses and tenant contact details so I can arrange access for gas safety checks.
- When you pay: a record of the amount, date and how you paid. I don't store card numbers. Card payments are handled by the card payment provider.
How I use it, and why I'm allowed to
- To reply to enquiries and give quotes. This is a step you've asked me to take before agreeing any work.
- To carry out the work you've booked, arrange visits, send invoices and provide any guarantee. This is needed to perform our contract.
- To meet legal duties, including gas safety record keeping, registering new boiler installations with Building Control through the Gas Safe Register, and keeping accounts for HMRC.
- To send reminders when your annual boiler service or gas safety check is due. This is in my legitimate interest as your engineer, and you can ask me to stop at any time.
- To ask for feedback. After a job, I may send you a link to leave a Google review. Leaving a review is entirely up to you, and you can ask me not to send these requests.
I won't use your information for anything else, and I never sell it or pass it on for marketing.
Who I share it with
Only where it's needed to do the job or meet the law:
- Gas Safe Register and local authority Building Control, when I install a new boiler or other notifiable gas work.
- Boiler manufacturers, to register your warranty.
- My accountant and HMRC, for tax and accounting records.
- Service providers that run my business systems: Gas App (Gas App UK), which I use to manage bookings and keep job records, and to produce quotes, invoices, gas safety certificates and service reports; Netlify, which hosts this website and receives messages sent through its forms; and GoDaddy, which provides my email. Some of these providers may store information outside the UK. Where they do, they use the safeguards required by UK law.
- Landlords or letting agents, if you're a tenant and the work was arranged by them. For example, they receive the gas safety certificate for their property.
Google reviews
If you leave a review on Google, it's published by Google under its own privacy policy, and Google shows your review with your Google profile name. I can reply to reviews but can't edit them. I may also show your review on this website with your first name and town. If you'd like me to remove it from my website, just ask.
How long I keep it
- Enquiries that don't lead to work: up to 12 months, then deleted.
- Job records, invoices and payment records: 6 years after the end of the tax year they relate to, as HMRC requires.
- Gas safety records, service reports and installation records: for as long as needed for safety, warranty and legal purposes, usually up to 6 years.
Your rights
You have the right to:
- ask for a copy of the information I hold about you;
- ask me to correct anything that's wrong;
- ask me to delete your information, where I don't need to keep it by law;
- object to, or ask me to limit, how I use your information;
- ask for your information in a format you can take elsewhere.
To make a request, email or call me using the details above. I'll reply within one month and there's no charge.
Cookies and this website
This website doesn't use advertising or tracking cookies, and I don't use analytics that track you.
- Google Maps. Some pages show a Google map of the areas I cover. It's only loaded if you agree, using the cookie banner or the "Show" button on the page. Once loaded, Google may set cookies and collect information such as your IP address and how you use the map, under their own privacy policies. If you reject, it's never loaded.
- Your cookie choice. Your choice is saved in your browser so you aren't asked on every page. This is strictly necessary and isn't used to track you.
- Fonts and hosting. The site loads its fonts from Google Fonts, so your browser shares your IP address with Google when a page loads. Netlify, which hosts the site, may keep basic technical logs, such as IP addresses, to keep the website secure and running.
You can change your choice at any time using "Cookie settings" at the bottom of every page.
Keeping your information safe
Your booking details, job records, certificates and invoices are kept in my Gas App account. I keep this and my other business accounts and devices password-protected, and only share your information as described above.
Complaints
If you're unhappy with how I've handled your information, please contact me first so I can put it right. You can also complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk or on 0303 123 1113.
Changes to this policy
If I change how I use your information, I'll update this page and the date at the top.