The problem with manual measurement: A cost factor of up to 15%
Traditional measurement is a notorious bottleneck in construction projects. Handwritten notes are often illegible, papers go missing, and the manual transfer of data into Excel spreadsheets or billing programs is a major cause of errors. Studies show that such transfer errors can result in up to 15% of the billed sum being incorrect. These inaccuracies lead directly to revenue losses or extensive rechecks.
Another issue is the immense time commitment. An employee often spends several hours per week digitizing measurement data instead of focusing on value-adding tasks. This inefficiency slows down the entire billing process and can delay the company’s liquidity due to late payments by weeks. Moreover, the lack of standardization makes the documentation difficult to verify and legally challengeable. A digital construction site app provides a direct solution.
Without a central digital recording, there is no reliable data basis for project controlling and recalculation, making strategic planning for future projects more challenging.
Functionality and benefits of a digital measurement app
A modern measurement construction app turns your smartphone or tablet into a precise data collection tool directly on the construction site. Instead of noting measurements on paper, your employees enter them directly into a structured digital interface. Many apps can even be paired via Bluetooth with laser distance meters, reducing the input error rate to nearly zero. The captured data is instantly stored in the cloud and available to the office in real time.
The key benefits lie in efficiency and accuracy. Digital tools can reduce the time spent on pure documentation by up to 75%. The following features are crucial:
- Photo documentation: Each measurement can be linked to a photo including a timestamp and GPS data, creating irrefutable visual evidence. A good photo documentation app is invaluable.
- Sketches and annotations: Details can be marked and notes added directly on photos or digital plans.
- Automatic calculations: The app automatically calculates areas and volumes, eliminating manual calculation errors.
- Offline capability: Even without an internet connection on the construction site, all data can be captured and synchronized later.
- Templates and LV integration: Specifications can be imported, and measurements can be directly assigned to the correct positions.
Central data management ensures that all project participants have access to the same level of information,which reduces misunderstandings between the construction site and the office by over 50%.
Ensuring legal certainty according to VOB and BGB
A verifiable measurement is the basis for your remuneration and is legally required both in the BGB (§ 650 g Abs. 4) and in the VOB (§ 14 VOB/B). A digital measurement construction app ensures that your documentation meets these requirements. Each entry is stamped with an immutable timestamp, greatly increasing traceability and evidential value.
The VOB/C contains detailed measurement rules for different trades in the General Technical Contract Conditions (ATV), such as DIN 18299. A good software takes these standards into account by correctly applying, for example, measurement rules for openings. A VOB-compliant measurement from an app can hardly be challenged by clients,which lowers the risk of invoice reductions by more than 30%. Learn more about the measurement determination according to VOB in our detailed article.
The complete documentation, including photos and comments, serves as crucial evidence in disputes over services rendered. A joint measurement with the client can be recorded directly in the app and digitally signed by both parties, further increasing bindingness.
Seamless integration through GAEB and data interfaces
The greatest efficiency gains occur when data flows without media breaks. A professional measurement construction app offers standardized interfaces such as GAEB (Joint Committee for Electronics in Construction). Through a GAEB interface, you can directly import specifications (GAEB 83) into the app and export your recorded measurements as billing data (GAEB DA11 or X 31). This process completely eliminates manual data transfer.
The benefits of this integration are numerous:
- Time savings: Exporting measurement data into your billing program takes only a few seconds instead of hours.
- Error prevention: By eliminating manual entry, there are no more transfer errors.
- Consistency: The data remains consistent throughout the entire project cycle, from tender to final invoice.
- Automation: The assignment of quantities to specification positions occurs automatically, speeding up the creation of interim and final invoices by at least 50%.
The ability to transfer data directly into ERP or tradesman software is a critical factor for a consistently digital process chain. A good tradesman measurement software is therefore essential. This makes the mobile data collection for construction a central component of your digitization strategy.
Conclusion: Your advantage with Valoon – Simple, efficient, and legally secure
The transition from manual paperwork to a digital measurement construction app is not a luxury but a business necessity. You save up to 10 hours of administrative effort per project, reduce errors, and accelerate your payment receipts. The investment in such a solution often pays off within the first three months.
Valoon takes it a step further. We combine the advantages of a powerful measurement function with the simplicity of WhatsApp. Your employees on the construction site don’t have to learn a new, complex app. They document everything as usual via WhatsApp, and our platform automatically and legally structures the data in the background for the office. This approach guarantees 100% acceptance on the construction site with zero training effort.
Secure your billing, increase your efficiency by over 40%, and create transparent, VOB-compliant documentation without changing your teams’ daily work. Book your free demo now and experience how easy the transition can be.
More Links
Die University of Bonn offers a download of the Contracting and Contract Regulations for Construction Services (VOB/B 2016) in English.
Das Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) provides comprehensive information and statistics on the construction sector in Germany.
A PDF document from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) highlights the digitalization potential in construction activity statistics.
de.digital informs about the current digitalization index in Germany.
Das ZEW (Centre for European Economic Research) provides a final report on the Future Construction initiative of the BBSR.
Der German Association for Housing, Urban Development, and Spatial Planning. informs about activities and networks for cooperation and digitalization.
BIM Germany is the central platform for Building Information Modeling (BIM) in Germany.
Wikipedia provides a comprehensive article on the Contracting and Contract Regulations for Construction Services (VOB).
Der Main Association of the German Construction Industry provides current figures and facts about the construction industry.
FAQ
How does measurement capture work with Valoon?
With Valoon, your employees on the construction site can easily capture all measurement data via WhatsApp. They send photos, texts, or voice messages with the measurements to a project chat. Our AI-powered platform analyzes this information in the background, extracts the relevant data, and prepares it as structured, legally secure measurement data for the office. There is no need for separate app installation or training for employees on site.
What costs arise from using a measurement app?
Costs vary depending on the provider and range of features, often as a monthly or annual subscription per user. With Valoon, the use for employees on the construction site is completely free. Costs are only incurred for the users in the office who access the web portal to analyze and further process the data. This significantly lowers the entry barrier.
Can existing specifications (LV) be imported?
Yes, a core function of professional measurement solutions is the import of specifications, typically via the GAEB interface. This allows the quantities captured on the construction site to be directly assigned to the correct LV positions, which massively simplifies and speeds up subsequent billing.
Is data security ensured with a cloud-based measurement app?
Yes, reputable providers like Valoon place the highest value on data security and GDPR compliance. Data is transmitted securely and stored on secure servers in Germany or the EU. This offers greater security than storing paper documents that can be lost or damaged.
Do I need a constant internet connection on the construction site?
Most professional measurement apps come with an offline mode. You can capture and store all data without an active internet connection. Once your device is back online, the data is automatically synchronized with the central cloud platform.
For which trades is a measurement app suitable?
A measurement app is suitable for almost all trades in the main and ancillary construction industries, including drywall, painting, electrical, HVAC, flooring, window construction, and many more. Good software solutions offer flexible templates that can be tailored to the specific requirements of each trade.
