Starting a Construction Company Without a Master Craftsman Certificate: Here’s How to Make It Work!

16. June 2025

Overview of Düsseldorf’s ambitious construction projects

The dynamics of urban development in Düsseldorf can be seen through several prominent major projects. On Königsallee, two projects are redefining the luxury mile: ‘Le Coeur’ is set to open in October 2026, while the 70-meter tall KöTower is being constructed at the southern end. Another architectural landmark is planned at Mörsenbroicher Ei with the Tadao Ando Campus & Tower, which is designed as a CO₂-neutral passive high-rise. In addition to these commercial beacons, significant investments are being made in housing. The municipal SWD and the DWG are creating new, partly publicly funded living spaces at locations such as Heyestraße, in Bilk, or Düsseltal, to ease the tense market. This variety of projects shows the enormous potential but also places high demands on all involved. The successful realization of such projects depends significantly on precise management, which is only possible through digital tools.

The growing complexity as the biggest hurdle in major projects

Modern major projects in Düsseldorf are no longer isolated construction efforts but highly interconnected ecosystems. The number of employees involved per project has increased by 66% from 2019 to 2023. This growth in interfaces inevitably leads to communication chaos when unstructured channels like WhatsApp groups are relied upon. Information is lost, agreements are not traceable, and documentation is incomplete. For 81% of construction companies, the shortage of skilled workers is one of the biggest challenges, which further increases the pressure on the existing teams. Therefore, efficient organization is not an optional bonus but a critical success factor. A central digital tool like Valoon consolidates all communication and ensures that every project participant has access to the same current information at all times. This way, the risks of the construction industry can be targetedly minimized.

Legal certainty according to VOB: The foundation for your payment claim

Especially in public construction projects, the German Construction Contract Procedures (VOB) provide a binding basis. The VOB requires clear and comprehensive construction documentation that serves as crucial evidence in case of disputes. Missing or incomplete proof of services rendered is a direct threat to your payment claim. Here are the central requirements for VOB-compliant documentation:

  • Traceability: All steps, agreements, and changes must be clear and understandable for third parties.
  • Completeness: Photo documentation, protocols, and correspondence must be fully recorded.
  • Timely recording: The documentation must reflect the construction progress current and timely.
  • Irreproachability: Subsequent manipulation of the captured data must be technically excluded.

Conventional messaging services cannot guarantee this legal certainty. Valoon, on the other hand, automatically creates an immutable log of all messages, photos, and documents – including timestamps and assigned to the respective project. This establishes a solid basis for successful major projects and secures your claims.

Increasing efficiency through automated processes and clear communication

The high manual effort of creating daily construction reports and assigning information is a massive time-waster. With Valoon, these processes are radically simplified. Employees on site send photos and voice messages through the familiar WhatsApp interface. The Valoon platform automatically processes this information in the background. A simple voice message thus becomes a legally secure entry in the digital construction journal. This automation reduces administrative effort for construction and project managers by up to 5 hours per week. The system also allows for clear task distribution and effective defect management, as each ticket is directly assigned to the right contact person. The simple operation without the need to install a new app maximizes acceptance among employees on site. This increase in efficiency is a crucial lever in the controlling of major projects.

Overcoming language barriers: A crucial advantage on international construction sites

On the construction sites for major projects in Düsseldorf, teams from all over the world collaborate. Language barriers are not just an obstacle to efficiency; they are also a serious safety risk. Misunderstandings in instructions or safety guidelines can have severe consequences. Valoon addresses this challenge with an integrated live translation feature. An employee can record an instruction in their native language as a voice message. The recipient receives this message immediately as text in their own language. This feature supports over 20 languages and ensures smooth and precise communication among all participants. It ensures that important information and work instructions are understood by everyone, regardless of their background. This smooth flow of information is a central building block for the financing of major projects, as it avoids costly errors and delays.

Conclusion: Your advantage with Valoon in major projects in Düsseldorf

Realizing major projects in Düsseldorf requires more than just construction expertise. It demands intelligent management that makes complexity manageable, ensures legal certainty, and maximizes efficiency. Valoon was developed specifically for these requirements. The platform combines the simplicity of WhatsApp with the professional standards of comprehensive and VOB-compliant construction documentation. You save valuable time through automated reports, minimize risks through unchangeable logging, and overcome language barriers on site. Make your projects simpler, safer, and more profitable. Discover how straightforward digital construction documentation can be.

More Links

City Planning Office Düsseldorf provides an overview of current construction projects in Düsseldorf.

Information and Technology NRW supplies statistical data and information on construction activity in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Fraunhofer IESE provides a PDF document on digitalization in the construction industry.

PwC illuminates in an article the challenges and pressures facing the construction industry.

Destatis (Federal Statistical Office) offers a PDF document on the digitalization potential of construction activity statistics.

BIM Germany provides an overview of the digital twin in planning, construction, and operation.

Construction Industry (Main Association of the German Construction Industry) informs on their topic page about digitalization in the construction industry.

FAQ

How does construction documentation with Valoon actually work?

Your employees on site continue to use WhatsApp as usual. They send photos, videos, voice messages, or texts to a project-related number. Valoon automatically processes this data in the background, assigns it to the correct project, and creates a legally secure, VOB-compliant construction journal that you can access in the office via a web app.

Is documentation via WhatsApp really legally secure?

Yes. Valoon acts as an interface and ensures that all data sent via WhatsApp is stored unchangeably and timestamped on secure servers in Germany. Documentation is thus GDPR and VOB compliant, unlike the direct use of private WhatsApp groups.

Do my employees need to install a new app?

No. That is the crucial advantage of Valoon. Your teams on site do not need a new app, any training, or new hardware. They simply communicate through the familiar WhatsApp. Only the project managers in the office use the Valoon web application for control and evaluation.

Does Valoon also support defect management?

Yes, Valoon significantly simplifies defect management. A defect can be recorded via photo and voice message. In the Valoon platform, you can create a ticket from this, assign it to a subcontractor, and set deadlines. The entire process is documented comprehensively.

What does Valoon cost for the employees on site?

For the employees on site, the use of Valoon is completely free. Our pricing model is based on users in the office (e.g., site managers, project managers) who manage and evaluate the data. This lowers the entry barrier and promotes acceptance across the entire team.

How can I test Valoon?

You can easily book a free and non-binding demo. In a personal online presentation, we will show you how Valoon can solve your specific problems and how you can set up your first project in just a few minutes.

Weitere Einträge