The problem: Inefficiency and risks due to unstructured documentation
On many construction sites, information today is exchanged through unsuitable channels such as private WhatsApp groups. This leads to a data silo where up to 20% of relevant information is lost daily. The consequences are serious: missing evidence for defects, incomplete construction diaries, and a high manual effort of 5-10 hours per week for retrospective assignment of photos and notes. These gaps in documentation pose a significant financial and legal risk. According to a study, up to 30% of all disputes in construction can be attributed to poor documentation. The digital construction documentation is therefore not a luxury, but a necessity to minimize these risks and create a solid foundation for project execution.
The solution: Mobile construction site documentation as a central tool
Mobile construction site documentation through an app replaces notebooks, cameras, and unstructured messaging services with a single, efficient tool. Employees capture all relevant data such as photos, notes, or defects directly on-site with their smartphones. This information is automatically timestamped and linked to the project, transferring it to the office in real-time. This reduces administrative effort by at least 50%. A central, cloud-based storage ensures that all project participants have access to the latest updates at all times, increasing transparency by 100%. The automated construction documentation ensures that no information is lost and creates a traceable project history.
Core functions for seamless and efficient documentation
Modern mobile construction documentation systems offer far more than just pure data capture. They are designed to optimize the entire workflow. Here are some of the key features:
- Automated daily construction reports: Capture weather data, present employees, and daily achievements with a few clicks. The software automatically generates a complete report, saving up to 60 minutes per report.
- Photo documentation with timestamp: Each photo is automatically assigned to the correct project and is provided with an unchangeable time and location stamp, increasing its evidential value by 100%.
- Digital defect management: Defects are captured on-site, documented with photos, assigned to a responsible person, and tracked, reducing correction time by up to 40%.
- Integrated time tracking: Employees can clock their working hours directly through the app, speeding up payroll processing by days and minimizing sources of error.
These tools, like a Construction Photo Documentation App, are crucial for sustainably increasing efficiency on the construction site.
Ensure legal certainty: Compliance with VOB and GDPR
Professional mobile construction documentation is key to meeting legal requirements. Especially for construction contracts under VOB, seamless documentation is essential for acceptance and enforcement of claims. Digital, immutable entries with timestamps are recognized as valid evidence in court. Moreover, the software used must be GDPR-compliant, especially regarding photo documentation that may show individuals or private areas. Valoon ensures that all data is encrypted and stored on German servers, guaranteeing 100% GDPR-compliant use. This protects against claims for defects and data protection violations. Construction Daily Report Software not only protects against defect claims but also against data protection violations.
Acceptance within the team: The key to success lies in simplicity
The best software is useless if it is not accepted by the employees on-site. Complex applications with high training requirements often fail at this hurdle, leading to an acceptance rate of under 30%. Valoon solves this problem by being based on the familiar interface of WhatsApp. Employees do not need to install or learn a new app and can start working productively right away. This simplicity leads to an acceptance rate of over 95% across the team. Language barriers are overcome by an integrated live translation feature in 15 languages, which demonstrably reduces the error rate in international teams by 25%. A paperless construction site only works if the technology is designed for people.
Conclusion: Your advantage with Valoon
Switching to mobile construction site documentation is a strategic decision for more efficiency, transparency, and legal certainty. With Valoon, you benefit from a solution specifically developed for the needs of the construction industry that combines three key advantages: Simplicity, efficiency, and legal certainty. You reduce administrative effort by up to 10 hours per week, create a seamless, evidence-based documentation, and ensure smooth communication without any media interruptions. The use on-site is completely free of charge. Take the next step towards digitizing your construction projects. Book your free demo now and convince yourself of the advantages.
More Links
Federal Statistical Office provides insights into the potential of digitization in construction statistics.
BIM Germany is the central platform for Building Information Modeling in Germany.
Der Main Association of the German Construction Industry informs about digitization in the construction industry on its topic page.
Die German Statutory Accident Insurance (DGUV) provides a publication on digitization in the construction industry, possibly focusing on safety and health.
Das Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs, and Spatial Development (BBSR) provides information on digital planning and construction.
Wikipedia offers a comprehensive article on the topic of construction documentation.
Der Association of Consulting Engineers (VBI) presents its positions on digitization.
Das Fraunhofer IESE has published a study or publication on digitization in the construction industry.
Der German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) presents the results of its digitization survey from 2021.
FAQ
Is the mobile construction site documentation with Valoon really easy to use?
Yes, absolutely. As Valoon is based on WhatsApp, no onboarding or training is required for employees on-site. Anyone who can use WhatsApp can start working with Valoon immediately. This ensures an industry-leading acceptance rate of over 95%.
Is my data securely stored and GDPR-compliant at Valoon?
Yes. All your data is transmitted securely and stored on certified servers in Germany. Our platform is 100% GDPR-compliant and meets all requirements for legally secure construction documentation.
What does it cost to use Valoon for my employees on-site?
For employees on-site, using Valoon is completely free. There are no license fees per user, which facilitates implementation across the entire team and keeps costs predictable.
Can I also create daily construction reports in compliance with VOB using Valoon?
Yes. Valoon automates the creation of VOB-compliant daily construction reports. All relevant data collected throughout the day is automatically included in the report, which you can export as a PDF with one click.
Does Valoon also support communication in multilingual teams?
Yes, Valoon has an integrated live translation feature for 15 languages. Messages are automatically translated into the recipient’s preferred language, avoiding misunderstandings and improving collaboration.
How quickly can I start with mobile construction site documentation?
You can get started within minutes. The setup is straightforward and does not require extensive IT implementation. Book a free demo, and we will show you how to set up your first project in under 15 minutes.
