Last updated: 9 May 2026
Who we are
George Ilie Plumbing & Heating ("we", "us", "our") is a sole trader providing plumbing and heating services across Bedford and surrounding areas in the United Kingdom.
Contact details:
- Trading name: George Ilie Plumbing & Heating
- Email: georgeilieplumbing@gmail.com
- Phone: 07592 788731
- Service area: Bedford, MK40 and 30-mile radius
We are the data controller for personal information collected through our website, phone calls, WhatsApp messages, and in-person interactions during service delivery.
What information we collect
Information you provide to us
- Contact details: name, address, postcode, phone number, email address
- Service details: description of plumbing/heating issue, property type, work history, previous repairs
- Payment information: payment method (card, bank transfer, cash) — note that card payments are processed directly by our payment provider; we do NOT store card details
- Communications: phone calls, WhatsApp messages, emails, photos of issues you send us
Information collected automatically
When you visit our website, we may collect:
- IP address (anonymised)
- Browser type and version
- Pages visited and time spent
- Referring website
This information is collected through standard server logs and Cloudflare Analytics. We do not use cross-site tracking cookies. We do not currently use Google Analytics or similar advertising trackers on this website.
How we use your information
We use your personal information to:
- Provide our services: respond to enquiries, schedule appointments, perform plumbing and heating work
- Communicate with you: confirm appointments, provide quotes, send invoices, follow up after service
- Process payments: issue invoices, process card payments via secure payment processors
- Maintain records: for tax compliance, warranty claims, and dispute resolution (kept for 6 years per UK tax law)
- Improve our services: understand which services are most needed, anonymously
Legal basis for processing
Under UK GDPR, we process your personal data based on:
- Contract: when we need information to provide our plumbing services
- Legitimate interests: for invoicing, record-keeping, and improving our services
- Legal obligation: for tax records (HMRC requires 6-year retention) and Gas Safe regulations
- Consent: for any marketing communications (which we don't currently send)
Who we share your information with
We share your information only when necessary:
- Gas Safe Registered partner engineer: for any gas-related work, the partner engineer needs your address and contact details to perform legally-required gas work
- Payment processors: if you pay by card, our payment processor handles your card details (we never see them)
- Accountant: for tax and bookkeeping purposes
- Legal authorities: if required by law (e.g., HMRC investigation, court order)
We never sell your personal information. We never share it for marketing purposes. We never pass it to other plumbers or third-party service providers without your explicit consent.
How long we keep your information
- Customer service records: 6 years from last service (UK tax law requirement)
- Invoices and payment records: 6 years (HMRC requirement)
- Warranty information: for the duration of the warranty + 1 year
- WhatsApp messages: retained on our phone for typically 12 months, then deleted
- Email correspondence: 3 years from last contact
- Website analytics data: anonymised after 90 days
Your rights under UK GDPR
You have the right to:
- Access the personal data we hold about you
- Rectify inaccurate personal data
- Erase your personal data (subject to legal retention requirements)
- Restrict processing of your data
- Object to processing
- Data portability — receive your data in a structured format
- Withdraw consent at any time (where consent is the legal basis)
- Complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at georgeilieplumbing@gmail.com. We will respond within 30 days.
Cookies and website tracking
Our website uses minimal cookies — only those essential for the website to function. We do not use:
- Advertising cookies
- Cross-site tracking
- Social media tracking pixels
- Personal targeting cookies
We use Cloudflare for hosting and basic security/performance, which may set essential cookies for security purposes (e.g., to identify trusted users and prevent attacks). Cloudflare's privacy policy is available at cloudflare.com/privacypolicy.
Data security
We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information:
- Phones with PIN/biometric protection
- Encrypted email service (Gmail with 2FA)
- Secure password management
- HTTPS/SSL on our website
- No storage of payment card details
- Limited access — only George Ilie has access to customer records
Children's privacy
Our services are intended for adults (18+). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If a parent or guardian believes we have collected such information, please contact us and we will delete it promptly.
Changes to this policy
We may update this privacy policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date at the top will reflect any changes. Significant changes will be communicated via our website. By continuing to use our services after changes, you accept the updated policy.
Contact and complaints
For privacy questions, complaints, or to exercise your rights:
Email: georgeilieplumbing@gmail.com
Phone: 07592 788731
Post: Bedford, MK40 (full address provided on request)
If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with:
Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF
Helpline: 0303 123 1113
Website: ico.org.uk