The communication dilemma: Why WhatsApp fails on the construction site
Using WhatsApp for quick coordination is common practice on over 7 out of 10 construction sites. However, this convenience comes at a high cost: important information gets lost in chaotic chat histories, and legally secure assignment to projects is impossible. From a data protection perspective, its use for business purposes is highly questionable under GDPR and can lead to fines. The lack of structure leads to a daily productivity loss of up to 10% due to follow-up questions and the search for information. This inefficient communication jeopardizes not only the schedule but also the legal protection of your company for future warranty claims. The need for a professional solution for digital construction site communication is thus obvious.
Without a central platform, information silos quickly arise, actively hindering construction progress. A professional construction app fills this gap and creates a unified information source for all parties involved.
Legal certainty at a click: Automated documentation according to VOB/B and HOAI
A comprehensive construction documentation according to VOB/B and HOAI is not an option, but a duty. It serves as crucial evidence in case of change orders, defect complaints, or legal disputes and secures your compensation claims. A construction app automates this process by storing every piece of information captured on the construction site—from photos to time recordings—automatically with a timestamp and project reference in the digital construction diary. This immutable storage reduces the administrative effort for construction managers by up to 5 hours per week. This allows you to create legally secure reports with just a few clicks, meeting the requirements of public clients. The digital photo documentation on the construction site becomes child’s play.
This structured data collection forms the basis for efficient defect management and transparent project control.
Increase productivity: How a construction app optimizes operational processes
The use of construction software is a crucial lever to address the industry-wide productivity gap. An integrated construction app optimizes numerous daily tasks and measurably increases efficiency. Instead of cumbersome manual processes, you benefit from digital tools that work seamlessly together. The digital transformation begins with simplifying daily operations for every employee.
A good construction app offers concrete solutions for this:
- Digital timesheets: Employees record their working hours with just one click on their smartphones, correctly assigned to the project and activity. This saves the payroll department up to 80% of the recording effort.
- Measurements recorded via photo: Measurements can be documented directly on site with photos and sent to the office, speeding up billing by days.
- Automated reporting: Construction day reports, protocols, and defect lists are generated as PDFs at the push of a button and are immediately ready for dispatch.
- Resource planning in real time: The allocation of equipment and materials becomes transparent, reducing costly downtimes by at least 15%.
These tools lead to a direct time and cost savings and enable construction managers to focus on their core tasks.
Acceptance as a success factor: Overcoming the hurdle of software implementation
The best software is useless if employees do not accept it. Studies show that lack of user acceptance is one of the main reasons for the failure of IT projects. Complex applications with high training demands quickly encounter resistance on the construction site. A construction app is successful when it works without prior training and employees have no additional workload. Valoon tackles this exactly: Employees on the construction site communicate as usual via WhatsApp, without having to install or learn a new app. This seamless integration leads to an acceptance rate of over 95% among the workforce. Language barriers are easily overcome with integrated live translation for over 10 languages. Thus, the mobile project control becomes a given.
This high acceptance ensures that the data basis for project control is complete and reliable.
Efficient defect management: From recording to acceptance
A systematic defect management is crucial for construction quality and avoiding high follow-up costs. A specialized defect management app transforms this process from chaotic paperwork into a structured, digital workflow. Defects are recorded directly on site via photo, located on the digital construction plan, and assigned to the responsible trade with a deadline. The entire communication process for rectifying defects is thoroughly and legally documented. This reduces the time for defect recording and tracking by an average of 30%.
The status of each defect is always transparently traceable:
- Recording: Take a photo, add a brief description—done in under 30 seconds.
- Assignment: Direct notification to the responsible subcontractor with all relevant information.
- Processing: The subcontractor documents the rectification also via photo.
- Approval: The construction manager reviews the completed work and approves the defect with one click.
This continuous process chain ensures faster and higher quality acceptance.
Choosing the right construction app: What to look out for
The market for construction software is growing by around 12% each year, making it difficult to choose the right solution. A strategic decision should be based on more than just functionality. What matters is how well the software addresses the specific challenges of your company. A good construction app should bridge the gap between the construction site and the office without burdening the employees on site. When selecting, look for a solution that has been specifically developed for the needs of construction managers and executives. The planning of construction projects is thus greatly simplified.
The following criteria are crucial in the selection:
- No training effort: The solution must be so intuitive that it can be used immediately by all employees.
- GDPR compliance: All data must be processed securely and according to German data protection standards, ideally on servers in the EU.
- Legal certainty: The documentation must comply with the requirements of VOB/B and be legally valid.
- Fair pricing model: The costs should be transparent and oriented towards benefits. A model where usage on the construction site is free significantly lowers the entry barrier.
A careful selection ensures that the investment in a construction app brings maximum benefit to your company.
Conclusion: Your advantage with Valoon
Digitization with the right construction app is not an end in itself, but a direct path to more efficiency, legal certainty, and ultimately profitability. By automating construction documentation and simplifying communication, you save valuable time and minimize risks. Valoon has been developed to deliver these advantages with maximum simplicity. You receive legally secure documentation and increase productivity while your employees continue working on the construction site as usual. The easy implementation without training costs makes the transition risk-free and immediately profitable. Take the opportunity to elevate your construction projects to the next level and secure a crucial competitive advantage. Create reports now at the push of a button.
Take the first step and see for yourself the simplest solution for your construction site. Book your free demo now.
More Links
de.digital provides an overview of the state of digitization in various areas.
Fraunhofer IESE offers a blog article about a study on digitization in the construction industry.
Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) provides a PDF document on the digitization potential in construction activity statistics.
PwC publishes a press release about a study on the construction industry in 2023 addressing the stagnation of digitization and progress in sustainability.
Central Association of the German Construction Industry (ZDB) provides a position paper on digitization in the construction industry.
Statista shows a statistic on the implementation degree of digitization in the construction industry in the D-A-CH region.
Main Association of the German Construction Industry provides information on productivity in the main construction industry.
Main Association of the German Construction Industry contains an expert opinion on the construction industry addressing digitization and productivity.
McKinsey offers a press release about a study addressing the stagnant productivity of the construction industry in Germany.
Wikipedia provides a comprehensive article on Building Information Modeling (BIM), an important method in the field of digitization of construction.
FAQ
How quickly can a construction app like Valoon be implemented in the company?
Valoon can be implemented within a day. Since employees on the construction site communicate as usual via WhatsApp, no training or installation on their personal devices is necessary. Only the project managers in the office use the web application.
Is the documentation created with a construction app valid in court?
Yes, documentation created with a professional construction app is valid as evidence in court. It is important that all entries (photos, notes) are immutable and linked with a timestamp and the respective project, which is the case with Valoon.
What does a construction app cost?
Costs vary depending on the provider and functionality. Valoon offers a transparent pricing model that is based on the number of office users (e.g., project managers). The use for employees on the construction site is completely free of charge, making implementation very cost-effective.
Can external subcontractors also be integrated into the construction app?
Yes, with Valoon, subcontractors and other external partners can be easily added to the respective project chats without additional costs. They also communicate via WhatsApp and receive only the relevant information and tasks.
Does the app work without an internet connection on the construction site?
Since Valoon uses WhatsApp as the communication channel for the construction site, messages are sent as soon as a mobile data connection or Wi-Fi is available again. The central web application in the office requires a stable internet connection for full functionality.
What data is stored in the construction app and where?
A reliable construction app stores all project-related data such as photos, documents, reports, and communication histories. With Valoon, all data is exclusively stored on servers in Germany and is thus subject to strict German and European data protection laws (GDPR).
