Privacy Policy

1. Who I Am

Walker Painting & Decorating is operated by Adam Walker as a sole trader ("I", "me", "my"), based in the Spalding area of Lincolnshire and trading at walkerdecorating.co.uk.

I carry out painting and decorating work for homes, businesses and rental properties. This policy explains how I collect, use, store and protect your personal data when you visit this website, get in touch, or book a job.

I am the data controller for the personal data I collect about you — responsible for deciding how and why it's used, and for keeping it safe.

2. What Data I Collect

Data you give me directly: your name, email and phone number when you enquire or book a job; your property address, so I can visit, quote and carry out the work; details about the job (property type, rooms involved, materials, timing); any photos you send me of the property or the work needed; and payment details when you pay for a job.

Collected automatically via the website: your IP address and browser type, and anything you submit through the contact form, which is processed by Formspree.

I don't collect more than I need. If something isn't necessary to quote, book or carry out your job, I don't ask for it or keep it.

3. How I Use Your Data

Your data is only used for specific, legitimate purposes: quoting and carrying out painting and decorating work, taking payment for a job, responding to enquiries, keeping basic financial records for HMRC, and following up on any guarantee or comeback query on completed work.

Your data is never sold or used for marketing without your clear consent. I don't run mailing lists or advertising, and I don't share your details with anyone for their own marketing purposes.

4. Lawful Basis for Processing

Under UK GDPR, I rely on: Contract (quoting and carrying out the job you've booked, or preparing a quote at your request); Legitimate interest (replying to an enquiry); Legal obligation (keeping financial records for HMRC); and Consent (for anything else, such as using a review or testimonial with your name attached — which you can withdraw at any time).

5. Who I Share Your Data With

Personal data is shared only where necessary: with Formspree (processes contact form submissions), a payment provider if you pay by card or online transfer (I never store full card details myself), and HMRC or UK regulators where legally required.

Your data is never sold, rented or shared with marketing companies or data brokers. There are no other third parties involved in running this business day-to-day.

6. How Long I Keep Your Data

Client contact, property and job details are kept for the duration of the work plus a reasonable period afterwards in case of any guarantee or comeback query. Financial and payment records are kept for six years, as required by HMRC for sole traders. Photos of a job are kept only as long as needed to complete the work and, where used as an example on this website, only with your agreement. Enquiries that don't lead to a booked job are kept for 12 months, and contact form submissions only as long as needed to respond. When data is no longer needed, it's securely deleted — you can ask for earlier deletion at any time (Section 11).

7. Your Rights

Under UK GDPR you have the right to: access a copy of the data I hold about you; have inaccurate data corrected; have data erased where it's no longer needed or you withdraw consent; restrict processing while you contest its accuracy; receive your data in a portable format; object to processing based on legitimate interest; withdraw consent at any time; and complain to the ICO if you believe your data has been mishandled (ico.org.uk, 0303 123 1113). There's never a charge to exercise any of these, and I'll always respond well within a month — see Section 11 to get in touch.

8. Cookies & Website Usage

This website uses only what's strictly necessary to function, plus the contact form. No advertising or tracking cookies are used, and nothing follows you across other websites. Full detail is in the Cookie Policy.

The contact form is provided by Formspree, a third-party service that processes submissions so they reach me by email — see their own privacy policy for how they handle data in transit.

9. How I Keep Your Data Secure

This website uses HTTPS encryption throughout. Personal data, including any photos or job details you provide, is only accessible to me — there's no office or subcontractor with access to client records. Payment details are handled directly by the relevant bank or payment provider; full card numbers are never seen or stored by me.

If a data breach ever occurred that put your rights at risk, I would notify the ICO within 72 hours and let you know as soon as reasonably possible.

10. Children's Data

This website and service are not directed at children, and I don't knowingly collect personal data from anyone under 18. If you believe a child has provided personal data through this site, please get in touch and it will be removed promptly.

11. Contact Me About Your Data

If you have any questions about this policy, want to exercise your rights, or have any concern about how your data is handled, get in touch: 07494 477941 or adamwalkerpainting@hotmail.com.

You also have the right to complain to the UK's regulator, the Information Commissioner's Office: ico.org.uk, 0303 123 1113, or by post to Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF. I'd always appreciate the chance to sort out any concern directly first.

12. Changes to This Policy

This policy may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in how the business runs, or in the law. The "Last updated" date above will change when that happens, and existing clients will be told directly if a change materially affects how their data is used. Continuing to use the website or service after a change means you accept the updated policy.

Walker Painting & Decorating is operated by Adam Walker as a sole trader.