Privacy Policy

Last updated 28 October 2026

Backyard Mate ("we", "us") is operated by NOVALY LLC. We handle personal information in line with the Australian Privacy Principles in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). This policy explains what we collect, why, who we share it with and how you can access, correct or delete it.

What we collect

• Your backyard photo and the options you choose (style, size, colour).
• Contact and project details you give us when you request a quote: name, mobile number, suburb or postcode, and anything optional you add such as email, address, budget, timeframe, site details, extra photos and notes. We send a link by SMS to confirm your mobile number belongs to you.
• Technical information such as a random visitor ID, device and browser type, pages visited and how you arrived at our site (for example an ad or a search). We use it to run the service, prevent abuse and improve it.

We do not ask for sensitive information. Please avoid including people, number plates or house numbers in your photo.

Why we collect it

• To create your AI preview and indicative price estimate.
• To connect you with independent installers when you request a quote.
• To contact you about your request.
• To send you ideas and offers, only if you opt in.
• To keep the service secure, measure how it performs and comply with the law.

If you don't give us your contact details, you can still see a preview and estimate, but we can't arrange a quote.

Who we share it with

Installers. If you request a quote and give your consent, your project details and photo (without your name, address or contact details) are shown to patio and pergola installers in our network so they can decide whether to take on your request. Your contact details are then shared with one independent installer who services your area and takes on your request. That installer may contact you by phone, SMS or email about it within 90 days, and handles your information under their own privacy policy. Installers agree with us to use your details only for your project and to stop when you ask. Installers pay us a fee for each request they take on. Installers who take on a request agree not to resell or misuse your information. If you ask, we will tell you which installer received your details.

Service providers. We use trusted providers to host the site, store data, process images with AI, send emails and SMS, take payments from installers and protect against spam. They only use your information to provide their service to us. Under our AI provider's terms, your photo is not used to train its models.

Others. We may disclose information where required by law, or to protect our rights or the safety of others. We never sell your information to data brokers or list sellers.

Overseas processing

Some of our service providers store or process information outside Australia, including in the United States, and our operator is based outside Australia. We take reasonable steps to make sure overseas recipients handle your information consistently with the Australian Privacy Principles.

How we keep it safe and for how long

Information is stored with access controls and encrypted in transit. Photos are private and never published. If you don't request a quote, your photo and preview are deleted within 30 days. Quote requests are kept for up to 24 months so we can manage your enquiry and any follow-up, then deleted or de-identified. If a data breach is likely to cause you serious harm, we will tell you and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, as the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme requires.

Marketing

We only send marketing emails or SMS if you tick the opt-in box. Every message includes an easy way to unsubscribe, and you can also contact us to opt out.

Cookies and analytics

We use essential browser storage (no advertising cookies) to remember your progress and limit free previews. To improve the site we record how its pages are used: pages and screens viewed, buttons tapped, errors, scroll depth, time spent and device type, linked to a random ID and never to your name or number. We may also use Microsoft Clarity, which records how pages are used (taps, scrolling, mouse movement) with everything you type hidden, to help us find and fix problems; Microsoft handles that data under its own privacy statement. Detailed analytics are kept for 90 days, then only daily totals. If we add advertising tools, we will update this policy and ask for your consent where required.

Access, correction and deletion

You can ask to see, correct or delete the personal information we hold about you, or withdraw your consent, by emailing [email protected]. We will respond within 30 days. If your details have already been shared with an installer, we will tell you who, so you can contact them too.

Complaints

If you have a privacy concern, email us first and we will respond within 30 days. If you're not satisfied, you can contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at oaic.gov.au.

Changes

We may update this policy. The latest version is always on this page, with the date it was updated.