The Limits of Pre-calculation in the Plumbing Trade
A professional plumbing calculation program is essential today. It allows for the rapid creation of offers based on stored service catalogs and current material prices. Programs often provide over 10,000 predefined plumbing services, including time values and parts lists. This saves valuable time and creates a solid foundation for every project. However, this calculation remains a theoretical assumption based on plans and standard values. The reality on the construction site often deviates by 5-10% from the planning. These deviations determine profit or loss. Pre-calculation is the starting point, but true success is measured by the final billing.
Measurement According to VOB: Where Calculation Meets Reality
The bridge between pre-calculation and final billing is measurement. Strict rules of the VOB apply here, particularly DIN 18339 for plumbing work. This standard precisely dictates how measurements and billing are to be conducted – for example, that openings under 2.5 m² are to be measured over. An incorrect or incomplete measurement capture inevitably leads to conflicts and financial losses. Even a deviation of 3% in quantity determination can wipe out the entire profit of an order. Therefore, precise and verifiable documentation of each service on site is not just a luxury, but a business necessity. Without a clean Quantity Determination According to VOB you risk being left with part of your costs. From here, problems in communication often begin.
The WhatsApp Dilemma: The Invisible Danger to Your Profit
How are measurement changes, additional services, or issues reported from the construction site? In over 80% of companies, this occurs via WhatsApp. A quick photo, a short voice message – it’s simple but fatal. This data is not legally secure, not GDPR-compliant, and gets lost in the chat history. A clean assignment to the project is missing, making post-calculation a puzzle with 1,000 pieces. Additionally, the shortage of skilled workers forces many managers to step in on-site, complicating office work further. Unstructured documentation via messenger costs companies an average of 5-8 working hours per week and project. A solution is needed that combines the simplicity of WhatsApp with the security of professional Craftsman Software is needed.
Valoon: The Bridge Between Calculation and Legally Secure Billing
Valoon does not replace your plumbing calculation program; it makes it truly effective. We bridge the gap between office and construction site by transforming everyday communication via WhatsApp into legally secure documentation. Your on-site employees do not need a new app or training. They continue to use WhatsApp as usual. Every photo, every text or voice message is automatically archived by Valoon with a timestamp in the correct digital project folder. This creates a seamless and legally watertight construction documentation in real time. These precise data form the perfect basis for your final billing.
From Photo to Measurement: This is How Seamless Documentation Works
Imagine your employee completes the installation of a gutter. He takes a photo, sends it to the project group, and says: “Construction site Müller, west side, 22.5 meters of gutter and 4 downpipes installed.” Valoon takes care of the rest:
- The photo is stored with a time and location stamp.
- The voice message is automatically converted to text.
- All information is stored immutably in the project construction diary.
- The project manager in the office can immediately use the data for billing.
This method reduces the effort for creating construction day reports by up to 70%. With a clean Measurement App for Sanitary and plumbing work, you ensure that every service rendered is properly compensated.
Your Advantage with Valoon: More Efficiency and Legal Security
The combination of a specialized plumbing calculation program and Valoon creates a completely digital process. You eliminate paperwork and communication chaos. Your billings become faster, more precise, and legally unassailable. This not only protects your margin but also strengthens your customers’ trust through maximum transparency. Companies using Valoon report a reduction in billing disputes of over 90%. Secure these advantages and future-proof your processes. The right Construction Software for Calculation is just the first step.
Conclusion: Precise Calculation Needs Clean Data
A plumbing calculation program is a powerful tool for the quotation phase. However, it only reaches its full potential when fed with correct and thoroughly documented data from the construction site. Valoon delivers this data – simply, efficiently, and legally secure, without changing your employees’ workflow. Increase your efficiency by 40% and secure your profits. Stop losing money through unstructured communication. Ensure that your calculations remain intact until the final billing. Book your free demo now and discover how Valoon bridges the gap between your office and your construction sites.
More Links
Federal Statistical Office provides information on economic indicators in the construction industry.
Main Association of the German Construction Industry provides an overview of figures and facts about the construction industry.
Fraunhofer IESE publishes a publication on the topic of digitization in the construction sector.
PwC analyzes the challenges and pressures in the construction industry.
German Institute for Structural Engineering (DIBt) answers frequently asked questions about the German regulatory system for construction products and building types.
Central Association of German Crafts (ZDH) informs about the ongoing digitization in the trades.
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) highlights the project ‘Digital Construction Site – Construction Industry 4.0’ in Lower Saxony.
Main Association of the German Construction Industry provides a themed page on digitization in the construction industry.
Central Association of Sanitary, Heating, and Air Conditioning (ZVSHK) provides information on digitization in the HVAC trade.
FAQ
Does Valoon replace my existing calculation program?
No, Valoon does not replace your calculation program; it complements it. You continue to use your familiar software for offer and invoice creation. Valoon ensures that the necessary data from the construction site (measurements, construction progress, defects) is captured thoroughly and legally secure and transmitted to the office.
Do my employees on the construction site need to learn a new app?
No, that is the decisive advantage. Your employees continue to communicate via WhatsApp, just as they are used to. No installation of a new app and no training is required. All technical and legal security runs in the background.
Is the documentation with Valoon valid in court?
Yes. All data, images, and messages captured via Valoon are provided with an immutable timestamp and securely archived. This form of documentation is designed to serve as evidence in legal disputes.
How does Valoon help me comply with the VOB?
Valoon helps you provide the necessary evidence for VOB-compliant billing. Every service, every material delivery, and every change can be documented directly on-site. This seamless chronicle is the basis for a measurement and billing that withstands the requirements of the VOB.
What does it cost to use Valoon for my employees on the construction site?
For employees on the construction site who send data via WhatsApp, the use of Valoon is completely free. Costs only arise for users in the office who access the structured web backend to manage projects and evaluate data.
