Build Safely! The Biggest Risks in the Construction Industry and How to Avoid Them

16. June 2025

Understand the legal binding nature of the specialized construction manager’s declaration

The specialized construction manager’s declaration is a legally binding document that is essential for the acceptance of a construction project. It confirms that a specific area of expertise in the construction project has been executed in accordance with the building permit and applicable technical regulations. In most state building codes (LBO), the appointment of specialized construction managers for complex trades such as fire protection or technical building equipment is mandatory. The specialized construction manager assumes a public monitoring duty with their signature. If this declaration is missing or inadequate, the building authority can refuse the commissioning of the building. Proper handling is therefore not an optional process, but a fundamental requirement for project success, as defined by the tasks of construction supervision. The exact requirements may vary slightly across the 16 federal states.

Clearly and completely define liability-relevant content

An incomplete specialized construction manager’s declaration is virtually worthless and opens the door to liability claims. Even a missing detail can cost recognition by the authority. To ensure legal certainty, at least 6 central elements must be included. Even a single missing signature can block the entire documentation for final acceptance. The following points must be documented precisely:

  • Unambiguous designation of the construction project and location of the construction site.
  • Complete data of the client and the appointed specialized construction manager.
  • Detailed description of the monitored trade or service area.
  • Reference to compliance with public legal regulations and the building permit.
  • Date of the declaration and legally valid signatures from the client and specialized construction manager.
  • Confirmation that the obligations under the respective state building code (e.g., § 45 LBO) are known.

Carefully reviewing these points is essential, similar to a checklist for legal building acceptance..

Identify manual processes as the efficiency and risk factor number 1

The traditional way of obtaining the specialized construction manager’s declaration is an efficiency killer. Project managers print forms, send them by mail, and often chase signatures for weeks. This manual process leads to an average of 5 to 10 hours of additional administrative effort per project. Documents get lost, are filled out incorrectly, or returned illegibly. This communication chaos leads to avoidable delays in acceptance for over 30% of construction projects. The lack of a central repository makes the later compilation of the revision documents considerably more difficult. Valoon solves this problem by replacing the analog tools for construction managers with a digital, traceable workflow. This makes the entire process transparent and manageable.

Reduce process lead times by over 70% through digital workflows

With Valoon, you digitize the entire process of the specialized construction manager’s declaration and reduce the effort by more than 70%. Instead of chasing paper, you manage the process with just a few clicks. All communication is automatically and legally securely documented in a central construction log. The digital workflow is incredibly simple and does not require a new app for the participants on-site: Der digitale Workflow ist dabei denkbar einfach und erfordert keine neue App für die Beteiligten auf der Baustelle:

  1. The construction manager starts the process in the Valoon system and selects the responsible specialized construction manager.
  2. The specialized construction manager receives a message via WhatsApp with a link to a digital form.
  3. He fills out the declaration directly on his smartphone – in just 2 minutes.
  4. The completed, signed document is automatically and irreversibly saved in the correct project folder.
  5. The construction manager immediately receives a notification about the completion and can use the document for acceptance.

This structured process eliminates sources of error and ensures seamless documentation from the start.

Ensure legal certainty through seamless digital documentation

Digital record-keeping with Valoon offers an unbeatable level of legal certainty compared to paper documents. Every interaction is timestamped and 100% traceable. This is particularly important since the acceptances according to VOB require precise documentation. The documents are stored GDPR-compliant on German servers and are protected from manipulation. Valoon transforms informal communication into legally secure documents that can stand up in court. In case of disputes, you can prove within seconds who submitted which declaration and when. This transparency reduces the risk of liability issues by over 90% and protects all parties involved – from the client to the specialized construction manager.

Your advantage with Valoon: efficiency, simplicity, and legal certainty

Managing the specialized construction manager’s declaration doesn’t have to be a complicated and risky process. Valoon offers you a straightforward, practical solution that provides you with three key benefits: massive time savings through digital workflows, maximum legal certainty through seamless documentation and the simplest operation without training effort for the construction site. Focus again on what matters: the successful completion of your construction projects. Secure your projects and greatly increase efficiency. Book your free demo now and experience how easy the management of the specialized construction manager’s declaration can be.

More Links

Wikipedia provides a comprehensive overview of the tasks and responsibilities of construction management.

Rödl & Partner addresses contractual agreements for documentation of work performance in the real estate sector.

German Institute for Structural Engineering (DIBt) offers frequently asked questions about the German regulatory system for construction products and methods.

German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) provides information on construction law from the perspective of the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

Research Institute for Construction (FIB) contains guidelines for assessing building plots in existing stock.

German Construction Journal (DBZ) offers an article on the importance of comprehensive construction documentation.

Federal Association of Expert Construction Experts (BSB e.V.) informs about construction documents when building anew.

Law Firm Herfurtner provides an overview of private construction law in Germany.

Vergabe24 contains a blog article on legally secure construction documentation as a must for every construction project.

FAQ

What is the difference between a specialized construction manager’s declaration and a contractor’s declaration?

The specialized construction manager’s declaration is submitted by the appointed specialized construction manager and confirms the correct supervision of the execution. The contractor’s declaration (or specialized contractor’s declaration) is issued by the executing company itself and confirms that their performance was executed free of defects and in accordance with regulations.

How does Valoon help with the management of specialized construction manager declarations?

Valoon digitizes the entire process. Instead of paper forms, you send a digital request via WhatsApp. The specialized construction manager fills out the declaration on their smartphone, and the finished, legally secure PDF is automatically saved in the project. This saves time, avoids errors, and creates seamless proof.

Is a digitally transmitted specialized construction manager’s declaration legally recognized?

Yes. The seamless documentation of the process, timestamps, and the clear association with the sender provide a high degree of evidentiary power for a declaration created with Valoon. For a formal requirement for written form, a qualified electronic signature can be integrated, although this is rarely needed in practice.

Does the specialized construction manager have to install the Valoon app?

No, and that’s the decisive advantage. The specialized construction manager does not need a new app or training. They receive a message in their usual messenger (WhatsApp) and can fill out the declaration via a simple web interface. This lowers the acceptance barrier to zero.

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