Digital Status Quo: An Industry Between Potential and Complexity
Digitalization in the German skilled trades is progressing: Already 68% of businesses are using digital technologies. The biggest advantage is seen in time savings at 83%. However, the construction industry remains at the bottom of the digitalization index compared to other sectors. The reasons are manifold: 71% of companies cite high investment costs as a barrier, and a full 81% consider many digital applications to be too complex or unsuitable for their own operations. This shows a significant gap between the recognized potential and practical implementation. Although many businesses use messaging services like WhatsApp for internal communication (91%), they struggle with implementing consistent digital processes. The key therefore lies in simple, cost-effective solutions that do not require intensive training. Optimizing workflows begins with choosing the right digital tools, which make everyday work easier rather than complicating it. The following sections show how targeted process optimization can be achieved.
Consolidate communication and end the chaos of notes
Countless WhatsApp groups, lost sticky notes, and verbal agreements lead to misunderstandings and cost valuable time every day. A study shows that 80% of craft businesses have significantly increased their efficiency with digital project management tools. The first step towards increasing efficiency in the skilled trades through software is centralizing all project communication. Instead of scattering information across various channels, all agreements, photos, and documents are consolidated in one project-related location. This reduces administrative effort by up to 15%. A centralized platform ensures that all participants – from the office to the construction site – can access the same, up-to-date information at any time. This not only creates clarity but also lays the groundwork for seamless and paperless construction documentation. This establishes the basis for automated reports and legally secure evidence.
Automated daily construction reports: Save up to 70% time
Creating daily construction reports is a mandatory but often time-consuming task. A construction manager spends an average of 5 hours per week on this. A digital construction diary app reduces this effort by up to 70%, which corresponds to an annual saving of around 160 working hours or €12,800. Instead of collecting notes and photos on the construction site and later painstakingly transcribing them in the office, data is captured directly on mobile devices. Here is a typical breakdown of the captured data:
- Automatic weather data at a click
- Attendees and companies
- Materials and machinery used
- Documentation of construction progress with photos and notes
- Recording of special incidents or defects
From this information, a complete, legally secure report is automatically generated. This form of process optimization not only increases efficiency but also minimizes errors that arise from manual data transfer. The time gained can be directly invested in value-adding work on the construction site.
Legally secure time tracking: Easily fulfill a requirement
Since a ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ), systematic time tracking has been mandatory for employers in the EU. The German legislature also plans to enforce mandatory electronic recording, with transition periods depending on company size. For businesses, this means that the classic timesheet will soon be obsolete. A digital time tracking in skilled trades is no longer optional but a necessity. Software solutions allow employees to log their working hours – including start times, breaks, and end times – with just a few clicks on mobile devices. This ensures complete and legally compliant documentation without manual effort. The recorded data is available in real-time and can be directly used for payroll and project recalculation. Thus, a legal obligation becomes a tool for increasing efficiency.
Digital defect management: Improve quality, reduce costs
Defects on the construction site are unavoidable, and their resolution often involves significant coordination effort. Manual management with lists and emails is prone to errors and slow. A defect management software significantly optimizes this process and ensures up to 40% faster resolution. The digital workflow is simple and efficient:
- Document defect: Directly on the construction site, the defect is documented with a photo, notes, and precise location in the digital plan.
- Assign task: The defect is digitally assigned to a responsible person, including a clear deadline for resolution.
- Track status: All parties can see the current processing status at any time (e.g., ‘open’, ‘in progress’, ‘completed’).
- Generate report: After rectifying the defect, a legally secure defect clearance notification is generated with one click, including all evidence.
This transparent approach reduces misunderstandings and secures the probative force in case of disputes. A structured task management ensures that nothing is overlooked and sustainably strengthens quality assurance.
Conclusion: Achieving more efficiency and legal certainty with simple software
Increasing efficiency in the skilled trades through software is not a distant future scenario, but a concrete necessity to remain competitive. The biggest hurdles are not the technology itself, but high costs and the complexity of many applications. The key to success lies in software that is oriented towards the needs of users: simple, intuitive, and without the need for training. Valoon focuses exactly on this. By integrating into the familiar WhatsApp messenger, acceptance issues and lengthy onboarding times are eliminated. Your team continues to work as usual, while a legally secure documentation is automatically created in the background. This simplicity enables enormous time savings and provides complete evidence without burdening the employees on the construction site. This way, digitalization becomes a real support in everyday work. Book your free demo now and experience how uncomplicated efficiency can be.
More Links
Statista provides a comprehensive overview of statistics and facts regarding digitalization in the skilled trades.
Central Association of the German Crafts (ZDH) informs about the progress of digitalization in the skilled trades in Germany.
Handwerk Digital presents the digitalization barometer, measuring the progress of digitalization in the skilled trades.
Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI) publishes a study on the status quo of digitalization in the skilled trades.
Institute of the German Economy Cologne (IW Cologne) offers a brochure with recommendations for resource efficiency 4.0 for the skilled trades.
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) informs about funding programs for the skilled trades.
KfW presents the digitalization report 2024 on the topic of digitalization in medium-sized enterprises.
Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) provides official statistics and information on the skilled trades.
Wikipedia offers an article on Germany’s digital strategy.
German Crafts Newspaper publishes articles and news about digitalization in the skilled trades.
FAQ
How does software increase efficiency on the construction site?
Software increases efficiency by digitizing and automating manual and time-consuming processes. This includes centralized communication instead of countless calls and messages, mobile data capturing for daily construction reports, digital time tracking, and a structured defect management system. This reduces administrative effort, minimizes errors, and demonstrably saves time and costs.
Do my employees need to learn a new app?
No, not with Valoon. Our solution integrates directly into WhatsApp, a tool that 91% of craftsmen already use for internal communication. Employees on the construction site do not need a new app or training. They communicate as usual while Valoon processes all relevant data securely in the background.
Is the documentation via software legally secure?
Yes. Good construction software ensures complete and traceable documentation. Timely stamps, precise allocation of photos and comments to a project, and unalterable storage in the cloud generate legally valid evidence. This is crucial in case of disputes, claims for defects, or inspections by authorities.
What happens if there is no internet available on the construction site?
Good mobile software solutions like Valoon are capable of offline operation. Your employees can capture all necessary information and photos even without an active internet connection. Once the device is back online, the data is automatically synchronized, ensuring that no information is lost.
How quickly can such software be implemented in the company?
The implementation of Valoon is extremely quick, as it builds on existing tools. Setting up projects in the office takes only a few minutes. Since employees on the construction site do not need to install or learn a new app, the operation can effectively start immediately and benefit from the advantages.
For what company size is construction software suitable?
Modern, cloud-based software is suitable for businesses of any size. In particular, small and medium-sized enterprises benefit from increased efficiency as they often have fewer administrative capacities. Flexible pricing models, like that of Valoon, where only office users pay, make it economically attractive for small teams to get started.
