The Status Quo: Why digitization is stagnating on German construction sites
Despite the enormous potential, digitization in the German construction industry is progressing slowly. A PwC study shows that advances are stalling, although 45% of respondents assess the level of digitization in their own companies as high. At the same time, volatile prices burden 92% of companies and supply chain issues impact 91%. These external factors increase the pressure to optimize internal processes, but lack of know-how and fear of complex systems hinder change. Many companies overlook that even small digital steps can increase efficiency by up to 25%. The result is a growing gap between the possibilities of digital solutions and the ability of companies to implement them. This reluctance poses a medium-term threat to competitiveness in a market that recorded a real decline in sales of 1.5% in 2024. The right digital construction site solution must therefore be primarily one thing: simple and directly usable in everyday life. The concentration on tools that solve real problems is the first step to overcoming this stagnation.
Variety of tools: What apps are available for home construction?
The market for construction software is diverse and offers specialized applications for every phase of home construction. A fundamental difference exists between apps for planning and those for organization and documentation. The choice of the right app heavily depends on your specific needs. Here is an overview of the most common categories:
- Floor plan and planning apps: Tools like Home Design 3D or Planner 5D enable the creation of 2D and 3D models, simplifying visualization for builders and planners.
- Construction assistant apps: These applications focus on organization, monitoring and comprehensive photo documentation of progress directly on the construction site.
- Defect management software: Specialized tools for capturing, assigning, and tracking construction defects, ensuring structured and traceable handling.
- Communication platforms: These are meant to channel the exchange of information between the office, construction site, and subcontractors, ending the chaos caused by emails and messaging services.
The biggest challenge is to find a solution that is accepted by all parties involved. An app that only works in the office does not solve problems on the construction site. Bridging these two worlds is crucial for success.
Securing focus: Legally compliant construction documentation via app
Comprehensive construction documentation is not a voluntary task, but a legal obligation. The HOAI specifies in performance phase 8 the “documentation of the construction process” as a basic service for architects and construction managers. This documentation serves as crucial evidence in liability issues, defect claims, or disputes about construction progress. Traditional, paper-based construction journals are prone to errors and extremely time-consuming. Digital construction documentation apps significantly reduce this effort and increase legal certainty. Features like automatic timestamps, GPS coordinates for photos, and immutable logs create a reliable chain of evidence. Apps like Valoon allow photos, notes, and documents to be directly assigned to the correct construction project and synchronized in real-time with the office. Thus, the construction documentation via app is transformed from a troublesome chore into an efficient tool that speeds up customer payment approvals and protects your company from costly legal disputes.
Efficiency as a competitive advantage: Save up to 5 hours per week
The cost pressure in the construction industry is enormous, and efficiency is the key to profitability. One of the biggest time-wasters is the double data entry and the tedious follow-up in the office. Employees on the construction site take notes and photos that later need to be painstakingly organized and transferred into reports. A digital app for construction managers can radically simplify this process. Some providers promise time savings of up to 5 hours per week per employee simply by eliminating pre- and post-work. This time saving results from several factors:
- Direct data capture: Photos, voice memos, and texts are instantly captured digitally and assigned to the correct project.
- Automated reports: Daily construction reports, photo documentation, and defect lists are generated at the push of a button instead of being compiled manually.
- Reduced inquiries: The clear and central storage of information reduces the number of phone calls and emails between the construction site and the office by over 30%.
- Faster problem resolution: Defects or unforeseen events can be documented immediately and forwarded to the responsible parties.
The time gained can be directly invested in value-adding work on the construction site. The investment in a user-friendly app often pays off within just a few months.
The acceptance hurdle: Why complex apps fail on the construction site
The best software is useless if no one uses it. This is exactly the core issue with many apps for home construction. While planners and executives in the office recognize the benefits of a comprehensive software solution, employees on the construction site are faced with yet another complicated application. Communication on construction sites is often a confusing mix of calls, emails, SMS, and countless WhatsApp groups. A new app represents an additional hurdle for many employees: It needs to be installed, learned, and used regularly. Often, there is neither the time nor the willingness to familiarize oneself with new software alongside demanding physical work. Language barriers in international teams further complicate the implementation. The low acceptance leads to the app being used only partially, and the hoped-for efficiency gains fail to materialize. The communication chaos persists, and the investment in the software goes to waste. The solution must therefore adapt to the user, not the other way around.
The solution: Valoon as a bridge between construction site and office
This is where Valoon comes in and elegantly solves the acceptance problem. Instead of forcing employees on the construction site to learn a new app, Valoon utilizes what everyone already has and uses daily: WhatsApp. Communication flows for the construction team as usual through a WhatsApp group. Photos, videos, voice messages, and texts are simply sent in the chat. The crucial difference happens in the background: Valoon intercepts all this data, analyzes it, and automatically structures it in the connected web platform for the office. For the employees on the construction site, the use is completely free and requires no training effort. Daily construction reports are automatically generated from the chat histories, and an integrated live translation overcomes language barriers in over 30 languages. This creates a legally compliant and comprehensive documentation without changing the team’s way of working. Valoon thus builds the crucial bridge and ensures that digitization finally arrives on the construction site.
Fazit: Mit der richtigen App den Hausbau profitabel gestalten
In light of declining building permits and increasing cost pressure, apps for home construction are no longer a trend, but a crucial tool for business success. They not only enable a legally compliant documentation, but also increase efficiency and save valuable working time. However, the key to success lies in simplicity and acceptance by the entire team. Valoon proves that a powerful digitization solution does not have to be complicated. By relying on the proven use of WhatsApp, we eliminate the biggest hurdle and make the benefits of digitization accessible to everyone. Ensure clear processes, comprehensive documentation, and relieve your employees. This way, you remain competitive and profitable even in challenging times. Book your free demo now and experience how easy the transition can be.
More Links
Das Federal Statistical Office provides detailed information on construction prices and the real estate price index in Germany.
Der Main Association of the German Construction Industry provides industry information on productivity in the main construction sector.
BIM Germany is the central platform for the digitization of the construction industry through Building Information Modeling (BIM).
Der Main Association of the German Construction Industry provides a thematic page on digitization in the construction industry.
Das Fraunhofer IESE published a blog post about a study on digitization in the construction industry.
PwC informs in a press release about the challenges faced by the construction industry in the areas of digitization and ESG.
Der Central Association of the German Construction Industry (ZDB) provides a position paper on digitization.
Der Federal Association of Construction Software (BVBS) offers a white paper on the digital transformation of the construction industry.
Wikipedia provides a comprehensive article on Building Information Modeling (BIM).
FAQ
How exactly does construction documentation work with Valoon?
Your employees on the construction site use a WhatsApp group as usual to share photos, videos, voice messages, and texts. Valoon automatically and legally securely archives all this information on a web platform for the office. There, the data is assigned to the correct project and can be used to create daily construction reports and documentation.
Is communication via WhatsApp legally secure?
WhatsApp alone does not meet the requirements for legally secure, immutable documentation. Valoon solves this problem by storing all data sent via WhatsApp on secure servers in Germany and logging them immutably. This turns simple communication into legally secure documentation.
Do my employees need to install a new app?
No. That is the key advantage of Valoon. Your team on the construction site only needs WhatsApp, which is already installed on over 95% of smartphones in Germany. There is no download, no registration, and no training effort for mobile users.
Does Valoon also support multilingual teams?
Yes, Valoon has an integrated live translation feature for over 30 languages. Messages sent in a foreign language to the WhatsApp group can be automatically translated for the users in the office or other team members. This reduces misunderstandings and significantly improves collaboration.
What size of company is Valoon suitable for?
Valoon is suitable for construction and craft companies of all sizes, from small teams to large general contractors. The platform is scalable, and the price adjusts according to the number of users in the office, while the use for the construction site always remains free.
How quickly can I get started with Valoon?
Setting up Valoon can be done in just a few minutes. After a short introduction, you can immediately create your first project and invite your team to the corresponding WhatsApp group. The process is intentionally designed to be straightforward and solution-oriented.
