Privacy Policy

Last updated: June 2026

Estima ("we", "us", or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard information when you use our website at buildcost-ashy.vercel.app.

1. Information We Collect

We collect minimal information to operate the service:

• Project inputs: The project details you enter (type, size, location, quality) are sent to our server to generate your estimate. These are not stored permanently.
• Usage data: We collect anonymised usage data including IP address (for rate limiting only), browser type, and general location. This is used solely for service operation and abuse prevention.
• Local storage: We use your browser's local storage to track your hourly estimate usage count. This data stays on your device.

2. How We Use Your Information

• To generate construction cost estimates in response to your requests
• To enforce fair usage rate limits (8 estimates per hour per IP)
• To improve the accuracy and reliability of our engineering engine
• To monitor for abuse or misuse of the service

3. Third-Party Services

Estima uses the following third-party services which may process your data:

• Groq API: AI market insights are optionally generated via Groq (groq.com). Your project description may be sent to their servers.
• Google Gemini API: Alternative AI insights via Google's Gemini service. Subject to Google's privacy policy.
• Pollinations AI: Fallback AI service. Free, no data retention claimed.
• ExchangeRate API: Live currency exchange rates. No personal data is sent.
• Adsterra / Effectivecpm: Advertising partners that may use cookies for ad personalisation. See their respective privacy policies.
• Vercel: Our hosting provider. Subject to Vercel's privacy policy.

4. Cookies and Advertising

Our advertising partners (Adsterra and Effectivecpm) may use cookies to serve personalised advertisements. You can opt out of personalised ads through your browser settings or via your ad network's opt-out page.

5. Data Retention

We do not store your project inputs or estimate results on our servers beyond the time needed to process your request. Rate limiting data is stored in server memory and resets hourly.

6. Children's Privacy

Estima is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

7. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The latest version will always be available on this page with the date of last update.

8. Contact

For privacy-related questions, contact us at sigmaconstructions508@gmail.com