Privacy policy
The short version: the calculator runs in your browser, your inputs stay on your device unless you choose to email a report, and we do not sell personal data.
By Hearthfork Research ·
Scope
This policy covers Hearthfork (hearthfork.com) and the Renovate vs Move calculator. It is written to be read, not skimmed, and it describes what the site does today. If we change how data is handled, we will update this page and the date at the top.
Calculations happen in your browser
The financial model is JavaScript that runs on your device. When you enter your home value, mortgage balance, rate, renovation estimate, replacement-home price or any other figure, the simulation, break-evens, lock-in analysis and sensitivity tests are all computed locally. Those inputs are not transmitted to our servers as part of using the calculator.
What stays on your device
To let you navigate between steps and return to your results without retyping, the calculator keeps your current inputs in your browser’s session storage. Session storage is cleared when you close the tab or browser and is never read by us. You can clear it at any time through your browser settings.
Share links
If you create a share link, your numeric assumptions are encoded into the part of the URL after the “#” symbol (the fragment). Browsers do not send the fragment to web servers, so the link can be opened by anyone you give it to without your assumptions passing through us. The encoded scenario contains only the numbers and selections in the calculator; it does not include your name, email, address or any identifier. Treat a share link like any other document containing your financial assumptions and share it only with people you trust.
Emailing a report
If you choose to have a report emailed to you, you will enter an email address and the inputs and results needed to produce that report will be sent to our server for the purpose of generating and delivering it. This is the only case in which your calculator inputs leave your device to us, and it happens only when you initiate it. We use the email address to deliver the report you requested and, if you separately opt in, to send occasional updates about the tool. You can unsubscribe from any such update with one click, and you can ask us to delete your address and any stored report by emailing hello@hearthfork.com.
Analytics
We measure how the site and calculator are used so we can improve them. Analytics events are deliberately coarse: for example, that a calculation was started or completed, which step a visitor reached, which verdict was shown, and banded ranges (not exact values) for a small number of inputs. We do not send raw financial inputs, free-text fields or personal identifiers to analytics. Where an analytics provider is used, it is configured not to build cross-site profiles and to respect browser privacy signals to the extent the provider supports them.
Server logs and security
Like every website, our hosting infrastructure records standard technical information when pages are requested, such as IP address, browser type, referring page and timestamps. These logs are used for security, debugging and capacity planning and are retained for a limited period. URL fragments (where share-link data lives) are not included in these logs because browsers do not send them.
We do not sell personal data
We do not sell, rent or trade personal information. We do not share your calculator inputs with advertisers, lenders, contractors, agents or anyone else.
Future partners and your consent
We may in future offer optional next steps after a result, such as connecting you with a lender, contractor or agent. If we do, nothing will be sent to any partner unless you explicitly choose that option and confirm what will be shared. Such partnerships will be disclosed on the page where they appear, and this policy will be updated before any such sharing begins.
Cookies
The calculator does not require cookies to function. If an analytics provider sets a cookie or equivalent identifier, it is used only for the coarse measurement described above. We do not use advertising cookies.
Children
The site is intended for adults making housing decisions and is not directed at children under 16.
Your rights
Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, delete or restrict the use of personal information we hold about you. Because the calculator keeps your inputs on your device, the personal information we could hold is limited to an email address and report if you requested one, and technical logs. To exercise any right, email hello@hearthfork.com.
Contact
Questions about this policy: hello@hearthfork.com or the contact page.