This Privacy Policy explains how Project Express (“Project Express,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, shares, and protects information about you when you use our website at projectexpress.com and related services (the “Services”). By using the Services, you agree to the practices described in this Policy.
Project Express is a marketplace platform that connects homeowners and property owners (“Homeowners”) with independent service providers and contractors (“Pros”). We are not a party to any agreement between Homeowners and Pros and do not perform the services listed on the platform.
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Information You Provide to Us
- Account information: name, email address, phone number, password, ZIP code, and (for Pros) company name, license number, and service area.
- Project information: descriptions, photos, videos, budget ranges, timelines, property type, and location details you submit when posting or bidding on a project.
- Payment information: for Pros who purchase a paid membership, payment card and billing details are collected and processed by our third-party payment processor (Stripe). We do not store full card numbers on our servers.
- Communications: messages you exchange with other users through the platform, and messages you send to our support team.
- Reviews and disputes: ratings, review content, and information you provide when filing or responding to a dispute.
1.2 Information We Collect Automatically
- Usage data: pages viewed, features used, links clicked, and time spent on the Services.
- Device and log data: IP address, browser type, device identifiers, operating system, and referring URLs.
- Approximate location: we derive general location (such as city and coordinates) from the ZIP code you provide to match Homeowners and Pros by proximity.
- Cookies and similar technologies: we use cookies to keep you logged in, remember preferences, and understand how the Services are used. See Section 7.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Create and manage your account and provide the Services;
- Match Homeowners with nearby, relevant Pros and enable bidding, messaging, and hiring;
- Process membership subscriptions and payments through our payment processor;
- Facilitate reviews, ratings, and dispute resolution;
- Communicate with you about your account, transactions, updates, and support requests;
- Send you marketing communications where permitted (you may opt out at any time);
- Detect, prevent, and address fraud, abuse, security incidents, and violations of our Terms;
- Comply with legal obligations and enforce our agreements.
3. How We Share Your Information
We share information in the following circumstances:
- Between users, to enable the Service: When a Homeowner posts a project, limited project details (excluding the Homeowner’s identity and precise address) are shown to matching Pros. When a Homeowner chooses to contact or hire a Pro, relevant contact information may be shared between the parties. Pros listed in the directory display business information they provide.
- Service providers: with vendors who perform services on our behalf, such as payment processing (Stripe), hosting and backend infrastructure, email delivery, and analytics.
- Legal and safety: when required by law, subpoena, or legal process, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Project Express, our users, or the public.
- Business transfers: in connection with a merger, acquisition, financing, or sale of assets, subject to this Policy.
- With your consent: in other cases where you direct or authorize us to share information.
We do not sell your personal information for money. Certain sharing for advertising or analytics may be considered a “sale” or “sharing” under some state laws; see Section 8 for your rights and choices.
4. Your Privacy Between Homeowners and Pros
Protecting Homeowner privacy is a core design principle of Project Express. When a project is posted, we do not publicly reveal the Homeowner’s name, exact street address, or precise coordinates to Pros browsing projects. Contact details are exchanged only when a Homeowner chooses to engage a specific Pro. However, once you communicate or transact directly with another user, information you choose to share with them is outside our control.
5. Data Retention
We retain your information for as long as your account is active and as needed to provide the Services, comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. When information is no longer required, we take reasonable steps to delete or de-identify it.
6. Security
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect your information. Payment card data is handled by our PCI-compliant payment processor. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We and our providers use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to operate and improve the Services. You can control cookies through your browser settings; disabling some cookies may affect functionality. Where required, we will present a cookie banner or consent tool.
8. Your Rights and Choices
Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or receive a copy of your personal information, and to opt out of certain processing. Residents of California and certain other states may have additional rights under laws such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA), including the right to know, delete, correct, and opt out of “sale” or “sharing” of personal information, and the right not to be discriminated against for exercising these rights.
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at info@projectexpress.com. We may need to verify your identity before responding. You may also opt out of marketing emails using the unsubscribe link in those emails.
9. Children’s Privacy
The Services are not directed to children under 18, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us information, please contact us so we can delete it.
10. Third-Party Links and Services
The Services may contain links to third-party websites and rely on third-party services (such as Stripe). This Policy does not apply to those third parties, and we are not responsible for their privacy practices. We encourage you to review their policies.
11. International Users
The Services are operated in the United States. If you access them from outside the United States, you understand your information will be processed in the United States, where privacy laws may differ from those in your jurisdiction.
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Policy from time to time. We will post the updated version with a new “Last Updated” date and, where appropriate, provide additional notice. Your continued use of the Services after changes take effect constitutes acceptance.