Privacy Policy

ServiceHut is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring your personal data is handled securely and responsibly. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information when you use our platform and outlines your rights under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

By using ServiceHut, you agree to the collection and use of information under this policy.

1. Information We Collect

We collect personal and non-personal information to offer you the best experience on our platform.

a) Personal Information

We may collect and process the following types of personal data:

  • Account Information:

    When you register as a tradesperson or a customer, we collect your name, email address, phone number, postal address, and profile details (e.g., tradesperson qualifications, and outreach radius preferences).

  • Tradesperson Information:

    If you are a tradesperson, we collect additional information including your qualifications, reviews, references, services that you provide, and verification details required for matching you with customers.

b) Non-Personal Information

We may collect non-personal data, such as:

  • Technical Information:

    Your IP address, browser type, operating system, and other technical information when you access our platform for security purposes.

  • Usage Data:

    Information on how you interact with our platform, including pages visited, links clicked, and time spent on our site.

  • Cookies and Tracking:

    We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your data to provide, maintain, and enhance our platform. We may use your information for the following purposes:

  • Account Management:

    To create and manage your user account and profiles.

  • Service Provision:

    To facilitate connections between customers and tradespeople, ensuring services are matched based on preferences and location.

  • Communication:

    To send you important service updates, notifications, and marketing communications (with your consent).

  • Platform Improvement:

    To analyse how users interact with ServiceHut, identify trends, and improve our services.

  • Legal Compliance:

    To comply with UK laws, regulations, and legal obligations, including responding to requests from authorities or enforcing our terms and conditions.

3. Legal Basis for Processing Personal Data

We collect and process your personal data on the following lawful bases under the UK GDPR:

  • Contractual Necessity:

    To perform the contract you have with us, e.g., connecting tradespeople with customers or processing payments.

  • Legitimate Interests:

    To improve our platform, ensure security, and develop new services, provided that these interests are not overridden by your data protection rights.

  • Consent:

    Where required, we will obtain your consent before processing your personal data for specific purposes such as marketing communications.

  • Legal Obligation:

    To comply with applicable legal obligations, such as tax reporting or responding to court orders.

4. Sharing Your Information

We will not share your personal data with third parties for their own marketing purposes. However, we may share your data with:

  • Service Providers:

    Trusted third-party companies that help us deliver our services, such as analytical services, data providers, and customer support platforms.

  • Customers and Tradespeople:

    For the purpose of facilitating connections, customers and tradespeople will be able to access certain information about each other (e.g., contact details necessary for booking and performing services).

  • Legal Authorities:

    If required by law, or if necessary to protect our rights or the rights of others, we may disclose your personal data to public authorities or legal entities.

5. Data Security

We take data security seriously and use various measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, misuse, or disclosure. These measures include encryption, secure servers, and regular audits.

However, please note that no internet transmission or method of electronic storage is completely secure. While we strive to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

6. International Transfers

We may transfer your personal data to third-party service providers based outside the UK. When such transfers occur, we ensure that adequate safeguards, such as standard contractual clauses or other lawful mechanisms, are in place to protect your personal data in accordance with UK data protection laws.

7. Retention of Your Information

We retain your personal data only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which we collected it, or as required by law. This includes retaining information to meet our legal, accounting, or reporting obligations.

When your data is no longer required, we will securely delete or anonymise it.

8. Your Data Protection Rights

Under the UK GDPR, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

  • Right of Access:

    You have the right to request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.

  • Right to Rectification:

    You have the right to request that we correct any inaccuracies in your personal data.

  • Right to Erasure:

    You may request that we delete your personal data under certain conditions (e.g. if it is no longer necessary for the purposes we collected it).

  • Right to Restriction:

    You may request that we restrict the processing of your personal data under certain circumstances.

  • Right to Data Portability:

    You can request a copy of your personal data in a structured, machine-readable format to transfer to another service provider.

  • Right to Object:

    You may object to our processing of your personal data where we rely on legitimate interests as the legal basis, or for direct marketing purposes.

  • Right to Withdraw Consent:

    Where we rely on your consent for processing, you have the right to withdraw it at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at hello@servicehut.co.uk.

9. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and other tracking technologies to enhance your experience, track platform usage, and deliver personalised content. You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings. For more information, please see our Cookies Policy.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page, and we will notify you via email or other prominent means if the changes are significant. Please check back regularly to stay informed of updates.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact us at: hello@servicehut.co.uk

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if you believe that your personal data has not been handled in compliance with applicable data protection laws.