The core problem: Unstructured communication costs 15% of the project budget
On almost every construction site in Germany, WhatsApp is the tool of choice for quick exchanges, even though 55% of professionals are aware of the security vulnerabilities. The result is a confusing web of dozens of groups per project, where important information gets lost. A study by FMI estimates the costs of rework due to poor communication at 26% of all cases. This information chaos directly leads to costly mistakes and delays. The lack of separation between private and business data also poses a significant legal risk. A structured team chat solution for construction is therefore not a luxury but a business necessity. This lays the foundation for more efficient and, above all, legally secure project execution.
Avoid legal pitfalls: GDPR and VOB-compliant construction documentation
The use of WhatsApp in a business context is a clear violation of the GDPR, as the service processes contact data unlawfully and transmits it to third countries. This can result in fines of up to 4% of annual revenue. At the same time, the VOB requires comprehensive and legally reliable documentation, which cannot be ensured with messaging services. A professional communication software for construction companies solves this dilemma. It ensures GDPR-compliant storage of all data on EU servers and automatically creates legally secure records. The following elements are recorded by default:
- Photos and videos with timestamps and location stamps
- Weather data at the time of recording
- Digital signatures of the participants
- Complete logging of all events
- Structured filing of plans and defects
This way, you not only meet legal requirements but also effectively secure your claims for compensation. Transitioning to such a system is the first step in minimizing legal risks.
Increase efficiency: How a central app boosts productivity by 20%
Digital platforms and cloud technologies are seen by 81% of construction companies as the greatest opportunity for efficiency gains. A central team communication construction app is the linchpin for this optimization. Instead of scattering information across five different channels, everything is consolidated in one place. This saves each site manager up to 60 minutes a day in search and organizational efforts. With clear task delegation and real-time updates, the error rate demonstrably decreases. All project participants, from the office to the construction site, have access to the same current information at all times. This transparency significantly improves the collaboration in the construction team and accelerates decision-making processes by at least 15%. The time gained can be invested directly in quality assurance and actual construction execution.
Automated documentation: Daily construction reports in 5 instead of 60 minutes
Creating daily construction reports is often mandatory under VOB for public contracts and essential for evidence in all projects. The manual effort for this is enormous and can cost up to an hour per project every day. A modern construction app automates this process almost completely. Here’s how the time savings work in practice:
- Employees capture photos, notes, or voice memos via the app directly on the construction site.
- The app automatically adds time, location, and weather data.
- All entries are assigned to the correct project and process.
- In the evening, a VOB-compliant daily construction report is generated as a PDF with just one click.
This automated workflow reduces administrative effort by over 90%. At the same time, the quality of documentation is significantly increased, as all data is collected in real-time and without any media interruptions. A seamless importance of construction documentation becomes a reality.
Overcome language barriers and reduce errors by 30%
On German construction sites, teams from over 10 nations work together, which makes language barriers a daily challenge and source of errors. Misunderstandings in instructions lead to costly reworks and jeopardize safety at work. An innovative team communication construction app with integrated live translation for over 50 languages effectively solves this problem. An employee can send an instruction in their mother tongue as a text or voice message. The recipient receives the message instantly in their own language. This function drastically improves the real-time communication on the construction site and ensures that instructions are understood 100% correctly. The result is a reduction in errors by up to 30% and significantly higher safety for everyone involved.
The key to success: 100% acceptance on the construction site through zero training effort
The best software fails when employees do not adopt it. Lack of employee skills is the biggest obstacle to digitalization for 32% of companies. This is exactly where Valoon comes in: communication runs through an interface everyone knows – WhatsApp. Employees on the construction site do not need to install or learn a new app. They communicate as usual via a GDPR-compliant WhatsApp channel provided by Valoon. This simplicity leads to 100% acceptance from day one. There is no training effort and no resistance within the team. While the construction site continues its work smoothly, the Valoon platform ensures the structured and legally secure processing of all data for the office in the background. This seamless networking of office and construction site is the decisive advantage.
Conclusion: Your advantage with Valoon – Simple, Efficient, Legally Secure
The transition from unstructured messaging services to a professional team communication construction app is a crucial step for any future-oriented construction company. With a single tool, you address three of the greatest challenges: you increase efficiency by up to 20%, ensure VOB and GDPR-compliant documentation, and thus protect yourself against costly legal disputes. Thanks to Valoon’s unique approach, which is based on the familiar use of WhatsApp, acceptance issues and training costs are completely eliminated. You digitalize your construction site communication without overburdening employees. Seize the opportunity to make your projects more profitable, secure, and stress-free. Book your free demo now and experience the difference in just 15 minutes.
More Links
Wikipedia provides a description of Building Information Modeling (BIM), a method for optimized planning, execution, and management of buildings using software.
The Main Association of the German Construction Industry addresses the topic of digitalization in the construction industry, including various aspects and initiatives.
The Fraunhofer Society provides a press release about the potentials and challenges of digitalization in construction.
The IHK Munich and Upper Bavaria offers an article on digitalization in construction.
The Technical University of Munich (TUM) presents its research page on the topic of digitalization in construction.
FAQ
Is the use of Valoon really GDPR compliant?
Yes, absolutely. Valoon uses a professional WhatsApp Business API. All data processing and storage occurs on servers in Germany and is fully compliant with the GDPR. Unlike private WhatsApp use, no contact data is extracted or shared with third parties.
Do my employees on the construction site need to install a new app?
No. This is Valoon’s key advantage. Your employees on the construction site continue to communicate via WhatsApp, as they are used to. There is no installation, no training, and no adjustment required, ensuring immediate and 100% acceptance.
How does the automatic creation of daily construction reports work?
All messages, photos, and voice notes sent through the project chat are automatically processed by Valoon in the background, tagged, and assigned to the correct project. From this collected data, you or your site manager can create a complete, VOB-compliant daily construction report as a PDF with just one click.
What does it cost to use Valoon?
Valoon follows a fair pricing model: For employees on the construction site, the use is completely free of charge. Costs apply only for users in the office who use the platform for management, documentation, and control. We will be happy to create a customized offer for you in a free demo.
Can the app also overcome language barriers?
Yes. Valoon includes an integrated real-time translation feature for over 50 languages. A message can be entered in any language and will be displayed automatically to the recipient in their preferred language. This significantly reduces misunderstandings and increases work safety.
How quickly can Valoon be implemented in the company?
The implementation of Valoon is possible within a day. Since employees on the construction site do not need new software, the lengthy process of installation and training is eliminated. You can practically start efficient and legally secure communication immediately.
