The foundation of the problems: communication gaps in planning and execution
In practical construction, there is often a gap between careful planning in the office and the dynamic reality on the construction site. Information is exchanged through unsuitable channels like private messaging services, leading to misunderstandings. Such communication errors can cause up to 10% of total project costs due to rework and delays. The absence of a central information source leads to decisions being made based on outdated plans. A study on digitization in construction shows that improved communication can increase project efficiency by more than 20%. With a well-thought-out construction process optimization software , this gap can be closed. However, this lack of structured communication is not just an efficiency problem; it also poses significant legal risks.
The legal trap: when inadequate documentation becomes a liability risk
The German Construction Contract Procedures (VOB) and the German Civil Code (BGB) require comprehensive and tamper-proof construction documentation. A simple chat history in WhatsApp does not meet this requirement and is hardly admissible as evidence in court. Additionally, using WhatsApp in a business context often constitutes a violation of the GDPR, as contact information is processed without the explicit consent of all parties involved. Fines of up to 4% of annual revenue are possible for GDPR violations. Inadequate documentation can lead to you bearing the costs for additional claims or defending against unjustified defect claims. Clear guidelines for the planning and construction phase are therefore essential. The challenge lies in ensuring legal certainty without overwhelming site workers with complicated software.
The solution: how Valoon bridges the gap between the construction site and the office
Valoon solves this dilemma with a unique approach: your site workers continue to use WhatsApp as usual. However, every message, every photo, and every video is automatically captured by Valoon and legally archived on secure German servers. This creates seamless and court-admissible documentation without any extra effort. Project managers save up to 5 hours per week through automatic generation of daily construction reports. Team acceptance is nearly 100%, as no new app needs to be installed or learned. The advantages of this construction software are clear:
- GDPR compliance: All data is processed securely and in accordance with the law.
- Automatic archiving: Every communication is timestamped and location-stamped.
- No training required: The team works with the familiar WhatsApp interface.
- Central availability: All information is immediately structured and available in the office.
This simple method of data collection transforms everyday communication into a valuable resource for the core processes of your construction project.
Optimize processes: from defect management to digital daily logs
With Valoon, the software for construction planning and execution becomes the efficiency engine for your daily operations. A simple photo of a defect sent via WhatsApp to the project group immediately turns into a legally compliant defect entry, including a timestamp, weather data, and exact location. The time to rectify defects can thus be reduced by up to 30%. The structured capturing of information allows for a drastic simplification of many other processes. For example, this is how digital measurement capturing works:
- Take a photo: The worker captures the completed task with a smartphone.
- Short note via WhatsApp: A brief description like ’30 sqm wall painted’ is added.
- Automatic assignment: Valoon automatically assigns the photo and note to the correct project and task.
- Verifiable document: A verifiable document for invoicing is generated in the office.
This kind of process optimization in construction reduces administrative effort by up to 80%. However, efficiency is not only defined by optimized processes but particularly by the people behind them.
Create acceptance: overcoming language barriers and complexity
One major hurdle in implementing new software is the low acceptance among site workers. Complex applications with countless functions are often ignored. Valoon avoids this problem because there is no new construction planning app to learn. Additionally, Valoon addresses another often underestimated problem: language barriers. On construction sites with international teams, the live translation feature improves communication by over 90%. Instructions, questions, and safety warnings are translated into the native language of each worker, which demonstrably reduces the error rate by at least 15% and increases work safety. By making the software accessible and easy to use for everyone, data collection becomes a routine and provides the foundation for informed decisions.
Conclusion: Your advantage with Valoon – simple, efficient, and legally compliant
The right software for construction planning and execution does not have to be complicated to be effective. Valoon proves that by intelligently using established tools like WhatsApp, huge efficiency potentials can be unlocked. You receive seamless, VOB-compliant documentation without burdening your team on the construction site. The combination of simplicity, efficiency, and legal certainty makes Valoon the ideal solution for modern construction companies. You reduce your administrative burden by up to 10 hours per week and secure your entitlement claims in a legally compliant manner. See for yourself how uncomplicated digital construction documentation can be. Book your free demo now and take the first step toward more profitable construction projects.
More Links
Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) discusses the potential for digitization in construction activity statistics.
BIM Germany provides a central platform for Building Information Modeling in Germany.
German Institute for Structural Engineering (DIBt) informs about the project for the digitization of the model building code toward a smart building code.
Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development (BBSR) provides information on digital planning and construction.
Main Association of the German Construction Industry offers a topic page on digitization in the construction industry.
Fraunhofer IESE provides a PDF document on digitization in the construction industry.
BWI Construction offers a PDF document on digital workflow.
Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) provides a PDF document on BIM application and legal framework.
FAQ
Is the use of Valoon really GDPR-compliant?
Yes, Valoon is fully GDPR-compliant. Unlike direct use of WhatsApp, all data is processed and stored on secure, certified servers in Germany, not on Meta (Facebook) servers. There is no unauthorized sharing of contact information.
Do my workers on the construction site need to install a new app?
No, and that is the key advantage. Your workers on the construction site and your subcontractors will continue to communicate through the familiar WhatsApp application. All technical processing and legally secure archiving happens in the background through Valoon.
For what company size is Valoon suitable?
Valoon is suitable for construction and craft businesses of all sizes, from small craft businesses with a few employees to large general contractors. The solution is scalable and adapts flexibly to your project requirements.
What functions does Valoon offer besides documentation?
Valoon automatically converts the captured communication into structured data. From this, digital daily construction reports, defect lists, photo documentation, and proof of measurement are generated. The platform also offers a live translation feature to overcome language barriers.
How quickly can I get started with Valoon?
Setting up Valoon is straightforward and usually takes less than one workday. As no training is required for the site team, you can immediately begin legally compliant documentation of your projects.
What does it cost to use Valoon?
A central advantage of our pricing model is that use for the site workers is completely free of charge. Costs are incurred only for users in the office (e.g., project managers) who access the web dashboard. For an individual offer, please book a free demo.
