Increase defect costs due to incomplete evidence preservation by up to 40%
Missing or poorly documented photos are more than just a nuisance; they cause direct financial damage. Statistics show that up to 75% of all new buildings in Germany have defects. The costs for their rectification can range between 5,000 and 50,000 Euros in nearly 40% of cases. Without comprehensive photographic documentation that evidences the condition before, during, and after a measure, proving your case in disputes becomes difficult and expensive. A single incorrectly documented detail can lead to liability claims exceeding 10,000 Euros. A professional defect tracking app, which automatically organizes photos, is therefore not a luxury, but a necessity for risk minimization. These gaps in documentation are a critical factor that underlines the need for legally secure recording.
Ensure legal certainty according to VOB/B and BGB with digital photographic documentation
The German Construction Contract Procedures (VOB) are mandatory for public construction projects and set the rules of the game. Clean construction documentation is not a “nice-to-have” here, but a contractual obligation. To be recognized as evidence, photographic documentation must meet certain criteria. Photos must be clear, unaltered, and distinctly assigned. This includes:
- An exact, unalterable timestamp.
- The precise location on the construction plan or via GPS data.
- A clear assignment to the respective project and construction section.
- Automatic storage in a central, audit-proof digital construction file.
Manually sorted smartphone images rarely meet these requirements in 9 out of 10 cases. Using a specialized digital construction documentation is the only way to reliably meet the requirements of VOB/B and BGB. However, the best software is useless if it is not accepted by the team on site.
Reduce acceptance issues with new software by 95%
The introduction of new, complex construction software often fails due to the human factor. Studies show that acceptance of new digital tools in the construction industry represents one of the biggest hurdles. Often, less than 30% of employees consistently use complicated apps. The reason is simple: No one wants to waste time on site with a cumbersome app. In contrast, over 70% of construction players already use WhatsApp for quick coordination. Instead of forcing your employees to use a new app, a smart construction site app leverages existing habits. By running documentation directly through WhatsApp, any training effort is eliminated, and the acceptance rate rises to nearly 100%. This seamless integration into existing workflows is the key to successful digitalization.
Reduce the administrative effort for construction daily reports by 70%
Creating construction daily reports is often mandatory according to VOB and is a time-consuming routine task for construction managers. Manually collecting photos, notes, and weather data consumes valuable time daily. A photographic documentation construction app based on WhatsApp automates this process almost entirely. The workflow is radically simplified:
- An employee sends a photo or voice message to the familiar project WhatsApp group.
- The software automatically captures sender, date, time, and weather data.
- All information is assigned to the correct digital project and tagged.
- At the push of a button, a complete, legally secure construction daily report in PDF is generated.
This automated process reduces daily documentation effort from over 30 minutes to less than 5 minutes. The time gained can be directly invested in the more important task of construction site coordination. However, the benefits extend far beyond mere photographic documentation.
Centralize and search project information 100%
A modern construction documentation captures more than just images. All information sent via WhatsApp – text messages, voice memos, PDFs, and videos – is compiled into a seamless log. This central collection in a cloud-based construction documentation creates a single, reliable source of information (“Single Source of Truth”). All data is project-specific and searchable in real-time. For international teams on over 60% of German large construction sites, an integrated live translation function additionally breaks down language barriers. Instead of searching for information across 5 different channels, you find everything in one place in under a minute. This central data storage is the foundation for measurable efficiency gains and cost savings throughout the project.
Conclusion: Increase efficiency and legal certainty without training effort
The use of a photographic documentation construction app that intelligently leverages WhatsApp is the most efficient method to solve central problems in the construction industry. It closes the dangerous gap of unstructured communication and creates legally secure documentation according to VOB standards. Construction managers and executives significantly minimize their personal liability risk for documentation deficiencies . The greatest advantages lie in the combination of legal certainty, a time saving of up to 5 hours per week and the complete acceptance within the team, as there is no new app to learn. Valoon provides exactly this uncomplicated and practical solution. Book your free demo now and experience in just 15 minutes how you can revolutionize your construction documentation.
More Links
Der BSB e.V. provides current analyses and studies on construction defects in Germany in its 2022 construction damage report.
Das Information Center Room and Construction (IRB) of the Fraunhofer Society provides a relevant document on the topic of construction.
Das Fraunhofer IESE examines the digitalization in the construction industry and its potentials in an article.
PwC analyzes the current challenges and pressures the construction industry in Germany is facing.
Rödl & Partner provides insights into contractual agreements regarding the documentation of services in construction.
Das Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) provides official statistical data and information on building in Germany.
Der Main Association of the German Construction Industry provides publications with current figures and facts about the construction industry.
FAQ
How does photographic documentation with Valoon work via WhatsApp?
Your employees send photos, videos, and voice messages as usual to a project WhatsApp group. Valoon receives this data, analyzes it, and automatically assigns it to the correct construction project in your digital construction file. Timestamp, weather data, and sender are automatically and unalterably stored.
Is the use of WhatsApp with Valoon GDPR-compliant?
Yes. Valoon acts as a secure gateway. Communication runs through a central number provided by us, so no private contacts of your employees are synchronized. All data is processed and stored on German servers according to the highest security standards, fully compliant with GDPR.
Do my employees need to install or learn anything on the construction site?
No, and that is the decisive advantage. Your teams on the construction site continue to use WhatsApp as they already know it. No installation of a new app and no training are required. This guarantees immediate and 100% acceptance.
Can I also create construction daily reports with the app?
Yes. All information collected throughout the day – photos, notes, completed tasks, special occurrences – are automatically compiled by the software into a complete construction daily report. This can be exported and sent as a PDF with one click, reducing the effort by up to 70%.
Who is the photographic documentation construction app from Valoon intended for?
Our solution is aimed at construction companies, planning offices, and project developers of all sizes. It is ideal for executives, project and site managers who want to optimize processes, increase legal certainty, and simplify communication between the office and the construction site.
What does the use of Valoon cost?
Valoon has a fair pricing model: For the employees on the construction site, who only send data via WhatsApp, the use is completely free. Costs are only incurred for users in the office who manage and evaluate the data in the web application. We would be happy to create a personalized offer for you in a free demo.
