Privacy Policy

AO Engineers, LLC ("AO Engineers," "we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy of individuals who visit our website and interact with our firm. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and protect personal information obtained through our website located at aoengllc.com and through our professional service interactions. By using our website or engaging our services, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

We collect personal information in the following ways:

Information You Provide Directly

When you submit a consultation request, contact form, or otherwise communicate with us, we collect the personal information you provide, which may include your name, email address, phone number, mailing address, property address, and the content of your message or inquiry. We use this information to respond to your inquiry, schedule services, and fulfill our professional obligations.

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect certain technical information including your IP address, browser type and version, operating system, referring website, pages viewed on our site, date and time of your visit, and other browsing data. This information is collected through standard web server logs and, if applicable, through cookies and similar tracking technologies.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website may use cookies — small text files stored on your device — to enhance your browsing experience, analyze website traffic, and understand how visitors use our site. Cookies we may use include session cookies (which expire when you close your browser) and persistent cookies (which remain on your device for a set period). You may configure your browser to refuse cookies or to alert you when cookies are being sent. However, disabling cookies may affect the functionality of certain features of our website.

We may also use web analytics services, such as Google Analytics, to collect and analyze information about website usage. These services may collect information about your use of our website and other websites, using cookies and similar technologies. You may opt out of Google Analytics data collection by installing the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on.

Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from third parties, such as referrals from other professionals or information provided in connection with a legal or insurance matter in which we have been retained. We handle all such information in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable professional obligations.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the personal information we collect for the following purposes:

• To respond to your inquiries, consultation requests, and communications
• To schedule and perform structural engineering services
• To prepare and deliver engineering reports, assessments, and other professional work product
• To communicate with you regarding your project, our services, and relevant updates
• To fulfill our professional and legal obligations as licensed engineers
• To improve our website and services
• To analyze website usage and understand how visitors interact with our site
• To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards
• To protect the rights, property, and safety of AO Engineers, our clients, and others

3. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We may share your information in the following limited circumstances:

Service Providers

We may share information with third-party service providers who assist us in operating our website, conducting our business, or providing services to you, such as web hosting providers, email service providers, and software vendors. These service providers are authorized to use your information only as necessary to provide services to us and are required to maintain the confidentiality of your information.

Professional Collaborators

In connection with specific engineering projects, we may share relevant project information with other licensed professionals such as geotechnical engineers, architects, or other consultants retained to assist with a project. Such sharing is limited to information necessary for the project and is subject to professional confidentiality obligations.

Legal and Regulatory Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law, court order, subpoena, or other legal process, or if we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, protect your safety or the safety of others, investigate fraud, or respond to a government request.

Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of our assets, personal information we hold may be transferred to the acquiring entity, subject to the same privacy protections described in this policy.

4. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, to comply with our legal and professional obligations, and to resolve disputes and enforce our agreements. Engineering records and client files are retained in accordance with applicable professional engineering standards and state licensing requirements, which may require retention for extended periods.

5. Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include secure electronic storage, password protection, and limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis. However, no method of data transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your information. If you have reason to believe that your interaction with us is no longer secure, please notify us immediately.

6. Your Choices and Rights

You have certain choices and rights regarding your personal information:

• Access and Correction: You may request access to the personal information we hold about you and request correction of inaccurate information by contacting us at info@aoengllc.com.
• Opt-Out of Communications: If you receive email communications from us, you may opt out by following the unsubscribe instructions in the email or by contacting us directly. Note that we may continue to send transactional or service-related communications.
• Cookie Management: You may manage cookie preferences through your browser settings as described above.

7. Children's Privacy

Our website and services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 18, we will take steps to delete such information promptly.

8. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites and encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

9. Professional Confidentiality

As licensed professional engineers, AO Engineers is subject to professional ethical obligations regarding client confidentiality. Information shared with us in the context of an engineering engagement is treated as confidential and is not disclosed to third parties except as described in this Privacy Policy or as required by professional or legal obligations. Our confidentiality obligations as engineers are independent of and in addition to the privacy protections described in this policy.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will post the updated policy on this page with a revised effective date. Your continued use of our website following the posting of changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Contact Information

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us: