The current crisis in housing construction: Numbers, facts, and causes
The German construction industry is facing significant challenges. For the year 2025, a real revenue decline of 7.0 % is forecasted in housing construction alone, which would mark the fifth consecutive year of real losses. At the same time, the demand is enormous: Currently, around 550,000 apartments are missing in Germany, while 9.6 million people live in overcrowded conditions. The number of building permits for multi-family homes has plummeted by 22.4 % from January to November 2024 compared to the previous year. The causes are multifaceted: 85 % of construction companies are suffering from high cost pressure, and 81 % are struggling with a shortage of skilled workers. This combination of declining construction activity and increasing demand exacerbates the housing crisis, especially in urban centers. To break this downward spiral, fundamentally new approaches in planning and execution are required.
Digitization as an efficiency driver: Optimize processes, reduce errors
Digitization is the central lever to increase productivity in housing construction. According to a survey, 65 % of construction companies view the shortage of skilled workers as a significant business risk that can be mitigated through digital tools. AI-supported software can already massively accelerate standard processes such as creating offers or searching for tenders. In planning, digital tools like BIM (Building Information Modeling) enable early detection of collisions and optimize material usage, even before the first excavator rolls. An end-to-end digital construction documentation, such as that possible through Valoon directly via WhatsApp, reduces administrative efforts by hours and creates legal certainty. The digital networking of the office and construction site is a crucial step that you can master with digital solutions for the construction industry This technological transformation is key to overcoming the challenges ahead.
Serial and modular construction: Up to 70 % faster to the completed building
The prefabrication of components in the factory is one of the most effective responses to time and cost pressure. Modular and serial construction can reduce on-site construction time by up to 70 %, as production occurs in controlled environments regardless of weather conditions. This method not only increases planning and cost certainty but also improves quality through standardized processes. Another advantage is the reduction of waste and noise emissions on the construction site. The federal government supports this approach by aiming to recognize once granted type approvals for serial constructions nationwide. The combination of various materials such as wood, steel, and concrete in hybrid construction methods also enables high architectural flexibility. These modern construction trends are crucial for the future of housing construction. However, switching to modular systems requires precise planning and logistics.
Sustainability and energy efficiency: Legal requirements and market demands
Sustainability is no longer a niche topic but a hard economic factor. Buildings account for about 30 % of annual CO2 emissions in Germany, which increases pressure on the industry. For 80 % of property buyers, residential health and environmental compatibility are already decisive criteria for their purchase. The future of housing construction lies in the use of ecological building materials and intelligent building technology. Here are some key aspects:
- Recycled and bio-based materials: The use of wood, hemp fibers, or recycled concrete significantly reduces the CO2 footprint.
- Energy efficiency: Standards such as passive houses reduce energy consumption for heating and cooling by up to 90 %.
- Circular economy: Buildings are designed as material storage, with components that can be reused at the end of their life cycle.
- Certifications: Systems like DGNB or BNB are increasingly becoming standard and enhance property value.
A sustainable construction method is not only ecologically sensible but also secures the future viability and value of a property. Hence, integrating these principles from the start of planning is essential.
Technology against the shortage of skilled workers: How AI and simple tools are changing the construction site
The demographic change hits the construction industry hard: Each year, about 18,000 skilled workers retire, while only 36,000 new apprentices enter the industry – with a dropout rate of 30 %. Technology offers concrete solutions here. AI-powered painting robots can already work twice as fast as a human and reduce the demand for skilled labor in this area by over 80 %. However, it doesn’t always have to be a robot. The acceptance of employees is crucial, which is why easy-to-use tools that do not require training have the greatest leverage. A solution like Valoon, based on the familiar WhatsApp messenger, overcomes language barriers through live translation and enables every employee to document construction progress and defects in a legally secure manner. Such solutions for the shortage of skilled workers immediately enhance the efficiency of existing teams. In this way, technology becomes a bridge builder between cultures on the construction site and the key to greater productivity.
Conclusion: Your advantage with Valoon in the future of housing construction
The future of housing construction is digital, modular, and sustainable. To master the current challenges, construction companies must fundamentally rethink their processes. Efficiency, cost certainty, and seamless, legally secure documentation are the crucial success factors. Valoon addresses exactly this by radically simplifying communication and documentation on the construction site. With Valoon, you turn WhatsApp into your central tool for automatic construction reports, legally secure photo documentation, and multilingual team communication. You save valuable time, reduce errors, and create a evidence-based foundation for all your projects. Switch now to a straightforward and practical solution. Book your free demo and actively shape the future of your company.
More Links
Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) provides an overview of construction in Germany, including statistics and information on various aspects of the construction industry.
Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) publishes relevant data in this press release from May 2025 in the construction sector, such as building permits.
German Bundestag provides a document from calendar week 5 of 2024 on the topic of housing, urban development, and construction.
Fraunhofer IESE discusses digitalization in the construction industry in this blog post and refers to a related study.
PwC describes the challenges and pressures facing the construction industry on this page.
KfW provides insights into digitization and its effects on more efficient construction in this PDF document from 2019.
Main Association of the German Construction Industry e.V. addresses the topic of digitization in the construction industry on this page.
FAQ
How can Valoon specifically help my construction company become more efficient?
Valoon transforms WhatsApp, already used by all employees, into a professional documentation tool. You create automatic, legally secure construction reports, document defects and progress with photos including time and location stamps, and overcome language barriers with a live translation feature. This saves daily administrative effort and reduces errors.
Is communication via Valoon and WhatsApp legally secure and GDPR-compliant?
Yes, absolutely. All data, photos, and documents sent via Valoon are stored on German servers and archived in a revision-secure manner. The documentation is GDPR-compliant and meets all requirements for legally secure construction documentation in case of legal disputes.
Do my employees on the construction site need to install a new app?
No, and that is the crucial advantage. Your employees on the construction site continue to use WhatsApp as usual. There is no training effort or installation of a new, complicated app required. This ensures 100 % acceptance within the team from day one.
What costs are incurred for using Valoon?
Valoon has a fair pricing model: The use for employees on the construction site is completely free. Costs only arise for users in the office who manage and analyze the data in the web portal. This lowers the entry barrier and makes the digitization of your construction communication particularly economical.
How quickly can I get started with Valoon?
Sie können innerhalb weniger Minuten starten. Nach einer kurzen Einrichtung im Web-Portal können Sie Ihre Projekte anlegen und Ihre Teams per WhatsApp einladen. Der Prozess ist unkompliziert und darauf ausgelegt, Ihnen sofort einen Mehrwert zu bieten. Buchen Sie eine kostenlose Demo, und wir zeigen Ihnen, wie einfach es geht.
