Phase 1: The Planning Phase – Laying the Foundation for Success
The planning phase, which often lasts 3 to 9 months, is the most critical stage in the entire house construction process. Here, designs are drawn up and permits obtained, while also setting the course for cost and schedule planning. An error in this early phase can increase construction costs by up to 20%. The central challenge is the coordination between architects, specialist planners, and authorities. Unclear agreements can lead to costly re-planning. A central, traceable communication platform prevents misunderstandings before they occur. All plans, permits, and meeting minutes are consolidated in one place and accessible to all project stakeholders at any time. This guarantees a smooth process in the planning phase from the start. This structured foundation is crucial before the first construction machine rolls in.
Phase 2: The Shell Construction – Making Efficiency and Control Visible
The shell construction phase typically lasts 2 to 3 months and is the first visible stage of construction progress. During this time, the foundation is laid, walls are erected, and the roof structure is built. The coordination of the various trades such as earthworks, masonry, and carpentry must function smoothly, as even a single day of delay can push the entire schedule back by a week. A seamless photographic documentation of construction progress is essential here. It serves not only as proof of the services rendered but is also crucial for the later warranty. With Valoon, employees can send photos with time stamps and location data directly from the construction site via WhatsApp, which are automatically assigned to the correct daily construction report. This saves up to 60 minutes of administrative effort daily. Accurate documentation in this phase is the best prevention against later damages and lays the groundwork for the subsequent interior work.
Phase 3: The Interior Work – Keeping Complexity Under Control
The interior work phase often lasts 3 to 8 months and is typically the longest and most complex phase in house construction. During this time, up to 15 different trades work either in parallel or sequentially. Clean coordination is essential to avoid costly standstill times. The biggest challenges in this phase are:
- Dependencies of the trades: The electrician can only start after the drywall contractor, and the tiler can only work after the screed layer. Any delay has a domino effect.
- Defect documentation: Scratches in the window frame or a wrongly placed outlet must be documented immediately and attributed to the perpetrator.
- Communication with subcontractors: Instructions and plan changes must be proven to reach all participants, even if they communicate only via WhatsApp.
- Material deliveries: The timely delivery of materials for over 10 trades must be precisely scheduled.
A central communication platform reduces coordination efforts by at least 25%. With Valoon, tasks and defects are recorded directly via voice message or photo and assigned to the responsible trade – including deadline setting and status tracking. This way, you maintain full control even in high complexity and can effectively optimize the construction process. This precise control is key to timely completion.
Phase 4: The Construction Inspection – Legal Certainty at the Crucial Moment
The construction inspection is the formal conclusion of the construction phase and marks the transfer of risk from the construction company to the client. This process often takes only a few hours but has enormous legal significance. Any defect not documented during the inspection is considered accepted and can be difficult to claim later. According to VOB/B, defects must be clearly and unambiguously communicated to maintain the right to rectification. A seamless digital protocol is not a luxury here but a necessity. With Valoon, you create the inspection report directly on site. All defects, photos, and communication records collected throughout the construction phase are available at the push of a button and documented in a legally secure manner. This reduces the risk of disputes by more than 50%. A clean inspection, supported by complete construction documentation, is the best prerequisite for a successful project handover and satisfied customers.
Ensuring cost control throughout all construction phases
Budget overruns of 15-20% are not uncommon in construction projects. Continuous cost control across all phases of house construction is therefore essential for economic success. The foundation for this is already laid in the planning phase with the cost calculation according to DIN 276. However, the real challenge lies in the continuous monitoring of actual costs during the shell and finishing phases. Every change in plan and every additional service must be recorded and assessed immediately. A digital solution that captures measurements and site activities directly from the construction site creates the necessary transparency. Employees can easily report their hours and used materials via WhatsApp, and Valoon automatically assigns the data to the project. This way, you recognize cost deviations in real time, and not just during invoicing after 4 weeks. This proactive financial management protects your margin. The seamless documentation is also the basis for effective defect management.
Efficient defect management as a key to success
Effective defect management is inseparably linked to clean documentation throughout the entire construction process. Defects discovered only at the inspection incur the highest costs – often up to 10 times more than if resolved early. Therefore, systematic documentation begins not at the end but accompanies each individual construction phase. The following steps are crucial:
- Immediate documentation: Every defect is recorded via photo and voice note immediately upon discovery via WhatsApp.
- Clear assignment: The defect is digitally assigned to the responsible trade with a clear deadline for rectification.
- Tracking: The status of defect rectification (open, in progress, completed) is transparently viewable at any time.
- Documentation of rectification: The result of the correction is also documented via photo and concludes the process.
This structured process reduces the number of open defects at the construction inspection by up to 70%. It not only ensures higher construction quality but also minimizes the risk of lengthy legal disputes. An independent building expert can additionally support this process. In the end, it leads to a smooth transition to the final inspection.
Conclusion: Your Advantage with Valoon Throughout the House Construction Process
The successful execution of house construction depends on the precise management of each individual construction phase. Communication chaos and incomplete documentation are the biggest risk factors that lead to time loss and high costs. Valoon transforms the biggest problem – unstructured WhatsApp communication – into your greatest strength. You gain up to 10 hours per week, reduce defects by up to 70%, and create legally secure documentation at the push of a button. Manage your construction projects efficiently, easily, and without the burden of new, complex software. Ensure a smooth process in every construction phase. Book your free demo now and experience how easy digitalization on the construction site can be.
More Links
Destatis provides insights into the potential of digitalization for construction activity statistics.
de.digital provides information on the digitization index, which measures the progress of digitalization in Germany.
BIM Germany is the central platform for Building Information Modeling (BIM) in Germany and offers comprehensive information on this topic.
Federal Agency for Real Estate Tasks (BImA) presents the implementation strategy for Building Information Modeling (BIM) in federal buildings.
BG BAU offers an article on the future of construction and the path to digitalization in the construction industry.
German Institute for Structural Engineering (DIBt) informs about the project for the digitalization of the model building code and the path to a smart building code.
Wikipedia provides a comprehensive article on the German Institute for Structural Engineering (DIBt).
VDI provides information on the VDI 2552 guidelines, which deal intensively with Building Information Modeling (BIM).
KfW provides a research report on how digitalization enables more efficient construction.
FAQ
How can I expedite the process of building a house?
Acceleration is primarily achieved through excellent planning and coordination. Ensure clear communication among all trades, use digital tools for documentation and task management, and plan realistic time buffers. Efficient communication prevents misunderstandings and standstills, optimizing the entire construction process.
What are the most common problems during the construction phase of a house?
The most common problems are communication breakdowns between trades, inadequate or missing documentation, resulting construction defects, unforeseen cost increases, and time delays due to poor coordination or unforeseen events like weather.
How does Valoon specifically help during the interior work phase?
In the complex interior work phase with many trades, Valoon greatly simplifies coordination. Instructions, defects, or plan changes can be recorded via WhatsApp and automatically assigned to the correct trade. This creates seamless, traceable communication and ensures everyone is on the same page, reducing delays and mistakes.
Is the documentation with Valoon legally secure?
Yes. All messages, photos, videos, and documents sent via WhatsApp are stamped with an unalterable time and location and archived in accordance with GoBD. This creates proof-secure documentation that serves as legally secure evidence in case of disputes or warranty claims.
Do my employees need to install a new app on the construction site?
No, and that is the key advantage. Your employees and subcontractors on the construction site will continue to communicate as usual via WhatsApp. No training or installation of a new app is required, ensuring 100% acceptance.
What does it cost to use Valoon on the construction site?
The use for employees on the construction site is completely free. Costs are incurred only for users in the office who utilize the central platform for control, analysis, and documentation. This pricing model lowers the entry barrier and promotes immediate use across the entire team.
