The Foundation: Legal Basics and Responsibilities
Construction supervision is not an option, but a legal obligation that is anchored in several regulations. The legal foundations can be found in the Civil Code (BGB), the State Building Codes (LBO), the Construction Contract Procedures (VOB), and the Fee Structure for Architects and Engineers (HOAI). The primary responsibility lies with the client, who usually delegates this task to qualified architects or engineers. They ensure that all work complies with the approved plans and the recognized rules of technology. The costs for careful construction supervision amount to about 3 to 4 percent of the total construction costs, an investment that quickly pays off in terms of avoiding expensive consequential damages. Clearly defining responsibilities in contracts is the first step to minimizing liability risks for all involved parties. This creates the basis for subsequent coordination and control on the construction site.
The Core Tasks of Construction Supervision according to HOAI LPH 8
The performance phase 8 of the HOAI, “Project Supervision – Construction Supervision and Documentation,” defines the core tasks of the construction supervisor. It is about monitoring and managing the implementation of the planning into reality. The coordination of all specialized companies involved in the construction ensures that the trades work smoothly together and that the schedule is adhered to. A central instrument for this is keeping a construction diary, where the progress of the work, special occurrences, and attendance are recorded daily. Another core task is cost control through careful examination of measurements and invoices from the executing companies. The digital construction diary software significantly simplifies this process. Here is an overview of the most important basic services:
- Monitoring the execution for compliance with building permits, execution plans, and performance descriptions.
- Checking and supervising compliance with the generally accepted rules of technology and the relevant regulations.
- Coordinating all professionals involved in project supervision to ensure a smooth process.
- Establishing, updating, and monitoring a detailed schedule to ensure timely completion.
- Joint measurement with the executing companies as the basis for invoice checking.
- Organizing the acceptance of construction services while identifying defects.
- Monitoring the rectification of defects identified during acceptance.
These tasks require constant presence and meticulous accuracy to ensure the quality of the construction.
Quality Assurance and Defect Management in Practice
A central aspect of construction supervision is proactive quality assurance to avoid construction defects from the outset. This includes checking the materials used and monitoring the execution quality of each individual trade. Despite all precautions, defects cannot always be prevented. The early detection and legally secure documentation of defects is crucial, to avoid costly corrections and delays. Any deviation from the target condition must be recorded immediately, photographed, and communicated to the responsible company. Monitoring the timely rectification of defects is also one of the core duties. An effective defect management is therefore essential. Complete documentation protects the client from warranty losses and secures claims against the companies. Without this evidence, even obvious defects can be difficult to enforce later.
Challenge Documentation: From the Construction Diary to Acceptance
The documentation obligation is one of the most time-consuming tasks of construction supervision, but also one of the most important for legal certainty. From the first groundbreaking to the final handover, every step must be documented traceably. This protects against unjustified claims and serves as evidence in case of disputes. A clean photographic documentation on the construction site is worth its weight in gold. The most important documents include:
- Construction Diary: Daily recording of weather, present workers, equipment used, work progress, and special occurrences.
- Protocols: Regular construction meeting protocols document all agreements and decisions.
- Defect Reports: Formal and verifiable communication of identified defects, including deadlines for rectification.
- Official Correspondence: Written correspondence with building authorities and other authorities.
- Acceptance Protocols: Detailed protocols of partial and final acceptances documenting the condition of the work and any remaining defects.
The manual creation and management of these documents takes up to 10 hours per week and is extremely error-prone. The digital capture of this information leads to a significant increase in efficiency.
Efficiency through Digitization: How Valoon Simplifies Construction Supervision
Communication chaos via WhatsApp, lost photos, and painstakingly created construction diaries in the evening – these problems cost time and nerves. Valoon addresses exactly these challenges by turning everyday communication directly into legally secure documentation. Instead of searching for information from countless chats, all relevant data is structured and securely archived directly on our platform. Workers on the construction site continue to use WhatsApp as usual, while you keep all processes centrally under control in the office. Our clients save up to 5 hours per week through the automatic creation of construction diaries. With features like the digital construction documentation, defect management, and time tracking via app, construction supervision becomes easier and more efficient than ever before. This leaves more time for the essential tasks on the construction site.
Conclusion: Your Advantage with Valoon
Professional construction supervision is indispensable for the success and legal certainty of every construction project. It ensures quality, controls costs and timelines, and minimizes liability risks. However, the complexity of the tasks and the high documentation effort present great challenges for construction managers. Valoon offers you the solution: Simplicity, as your team communicates through WhatsApp as usual. Time savings through the automatic creation of reports and the central organization of all data. And legal certainty through complete and immutable documentation of all processes. Take full control of your construction projects. Book your free demo now and experience how uncomplicated and efficient construction supervision tasks can be.
More Links
Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) provides content on the topic of construction, industries, and companies.
Der BG Bau Annual Report 2022 focuses on workplace accidents and occupational diseases in the construction industry.
Die DGUV provides a publication for download that addresses safety and health protection.
Das DIN provides information on construction cost standards and the work of the Construction Norm Committee (NABau).
VOB.de highlights performance phase eight of the HOAI, which is relevant for architects and engineers.
A blog post from Fraunhofer IESE discusses digitization in the construction industry and refers to a corresponding study.
A press release from PwC presents a study on the construction industry 2023, addressing digitization and sustainability.
FAQ
What legal foundations govern construction supervision in Germany?
Construction supervision is governed by several laws and regulations. These include the State Building Codes (LBO), the Civil Code (BGB) with construction contract law, the Construction Contract Procedures (VOB/B), and the Fee Structure for Architects and Engineers (HOAI).
What is the difference between construction management and construction supervision?
Although the terms are often used interchangeably, construction management is responsible for the organization and execution of construction work, while construction supervision represents the monitoring and inspection function on behalf of the client. A construction manager can also be contractually entrusted with the tasks of construction supervision.
How does Valoon specifically help with the tasks of construction supervision?
Valoon digitizes and automates the documentation processes. Your team simply communicates via WhatsApp, and Valoon automatically generates legally secure construction diaries, photographic documentation, and defect lists from it. This saves valuable time every day and reduces administrative effort to a minimum.
Is documentation created with Valoon valid in court?
Yes. All data recorded via Valoon, such as photos, messages, and protocols, are time-stamped and securely stored. This immutable documentation meets the requirements for evidentiary construction documentation and can serve as proof in legal disputes.
Does my team need to learn a new app?
No, and that’s the crucial advantage. Your onsite employees do not need a new app or training. They continue to communicate through the familiar WhatsApp application. Only project and construction managers in the office use the central Valoon platform for management and evaluation.
For which company sizes is Valoon suitable?
Valoon is suitable for construction companies, planning offices, and project developers of any size. Our platform is scalable and supports both small teams and large organizations in optimizing their communication and documentation processes while ensuring legal certainty.
