Quantifying the financial risk of undiscovered construction defects
The average costs for rectifying defects in single-family homes amount to €24,200. This money directly reduces your margin. The problem is that many defects, such as a faulty seal in the basement, are no longer visible after the next construction phase. Correcting them will then be significantly more expensive. An independent construction expert identifies such critical errors early, before they are concealed. Investing in ongoing quality control during construction, which often only amounts to 1-2% of the construction sum, can prevent follow-up costs in the five-digit range. This proactive control is the most effective lever for securing your project’s profitability. Early detection of deviations ensures not only quality but also adherence to budget and schedule. Thus, a control function becomes an active tool for risk minimization.
Core tasks of the construction expert for quality assurance
A construction expert is much more than just an appraiser for damage cases. During the construction phase, he takes on a proactive role in quality assurance. His work often begins before the first shovel hits the ground with the review of the construction contract and performance description. This ensures that the planning adheres to recognized standards of technology. The main task is regular, ongoing site inspections at critical milestones. Typically, this includes 4-5 site visits. A structured checklist for the construction phase helps ensure that no critical point is overlooked. The expert checks the execution and documents the state of construction as well as any defects in a report. This documentation is an important piece of evidence in later disputes. He acts as an independent party and can mediate in complications between the client and the contractor. His expertise is crucial for a defect-free acceptance according to VOB and protects you from unjustified claims.
Choosing the right expert: These 3 criteria matter
The job title “construction expert” is not legally protected in Germany. This means that, theoretically, anyone can call themselves that. Therefore, it is even more important to pay attention to verifiable qualifications when making your choice. An hourly rate of €90 to €180 is common in the industry but should be justified by corresponding expertise. Focus on the following three points to find the right partner for your project:
- Certification and recognition: Look specifically for “publicly appointed and sworn” or “state-recognized” experts. Organizations like IHK, DEKRA, or TÜV offer directories of qualified experts.
- Independence: The expert must have no economic ties to the executing companies. Only then is an objective and impartial assessment of the construction performance guaranteed.
- Specialization and experience: Choose an expert who has demonstrable experience with your type of construction (e.g., commercial construction, residential construction). A specialist in the renovation of old buildings has different focuses than one for energy-efficient construction.
Careful selection is the first step to fully capitalize on the benefits of external monitoring.
Optimal integration: When and how to involve the expert
The greatest benefit arises when the construction expert is involved in the process as early as possible. Ideally, this happens even before the contract is signed to check the planning documents and construction descriptions for plausibility and completeness. At the latest, the first inspection should take place at the start of construction. A typical inspection plan includes at least 4 to 5 appointments. These occur at critical times when important, later invisible works are completed. A classic mistake is to involve the expert only shortly before final acceptance. By this time, many trades are already concealed, and defects can only be documented with considerable effort. An effective digital construction documentation supports the expert by providing him with a comprehensive overview of the construction progress before his appointments. This allows him to conduct his inspections even more purposefully and efficiently.
Increasing efficiency through digital collaboration with the expert
Imagine your construction expert could track the construction progress in real-time without always being on-site. Valoon makes exactly that possible. Your staff on the construction site simply document progress and occurrences via photo, video, or voice message in WhatsApp. This information is automatically and legally secure stored in the digital construction diary – with a timestamp and assigned to the correct construction project. The expert has read access to this data. He can gain an overview at any time via the web app and plan his visits based on real-time data. If he finds a defect, it can be directly delegated as a task to the responsible subcontractor via Valoon. All communication regarding the defect management is consolidated in one place and documented securely. This saves the expert up to 60 minutes of travel and preparation time per inspection and reduces your internal effort for information gathering by at least 30%. This transforms control into seamless and efficient collaboration.
Conclusion: Your advantage with Valoon and a construction expert
Engaging a construction expert during the construction phase is one of the most effective measures to minimize risk in the construction industry. It ensures quality, prevents costly follow-up damages, and creates legal certainty for all parties involved. The investment of about €3,000 for comprehensive construction supervision quickly pays off when considering that the average costs for rectifying defects exceed €24,000. Valoon takes this proven method to the next level. Through the simple, WhatsApp-based data collection on the construction site and central provision for the expert, you create a straightforward and highly efficient bridge between the construction site, the office, and external experts. The result is a seamless, legally secure documentation that saves time, simplifies communication, and makes your projects more profitable. Secure your construction quality and minimize your risks.
Book your free demo now and discover how Valoon revolutionizes collaboration with your construction expert.
More Links
Wikipedia provides a comprehensive overview of experts, their roles, and tasks.
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) provides information on construction prices and the property price index.
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) offers a press release on a specific topic.
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) provides an overview page with statistics and information on the topic of construction.
The German Institute for Standardization (DIN) informs about construction cost standards, specifically from the Construction Standards Committee (NABau).
The Builders’ Protection Association (BSB) provides a press release regarding construction defects in house building.
Statista offers statistics on construction defects in single- and two-family homes in Germany.
The Builders’ Protection Association (BSB) provides a report on construction damage (Update 2022) in PDF format.
FAQ
How does Valoon specifically assist the construction expert?
Valoon provides the expert with all relevant, up-to-date information (photos, notes, plans) in a central web app. He can gain an overview at any time, plan his visits more efficiently, and directly delegate defects digitally as tasks, reducing the need for physical presence and accelerating documentation.
Who bears the costs for the construction expert?
Usually, the client or the buyer commissions the construction expert and bears the costs. This investment serves to protect one’s own interests and ensure the contractually required construction quality.
Can I also commission an expert during the construction?
Yes, a commission can be made at any time. However, the earlier you involve him, the more effective he can work, as he can inspect critical, later concealed construction phases from the beginning. A later involvement is still useful to oversee the remaining work.
How does the construction expert differ from the construction manager?
The construction manager is responsible for organizing and coordinating the construction site and is provided by the construction company. The construction expert is an independent inspector commissioned by the client who monitors the work of the construction manager and the trades and represents only the interests of the client.
What happens if the expert finds a defect?
He documents the defect in a report and sets a deadline for the construction company to rectify it. With Valoon, this process can be digitized: The defect is sent as a task with a photo and description directly to the responsible party, and the rectification is tracked.
Is an expert opinion from a private expert valid in court?
A private expert opinion has the status of a qualified party presentation in court. It does not carry the same weight as a court-appointed expert opinion but can be crucial for evidence and serve as a basis for an out-of-court settlement or a later trial.
