Wkb a tool for quality?

Construction Quality Assurance Act, mandatory laws and regulations

The Building Quality Assurance Act ( Wkb) was introduced by the government to improve and better demonstrate construction quality. The law applies since Jan. 1, 2024, to new construction in consequence class 1, such as single-family homes and simple commercial buildings. The goal: better protection for clients, occupants and users of a building.

But can you enforce quality with laws and regulations? Many construction companies have been investing in quality and in their reputation for years. After all, a good building is the best advertisement. Yet the Wkb brings with it new obligations and therefore risks. Will this be another paper tiger that costs extra time and money? Or can you actually cleverly integrate the law into your existing processes?

Wkb: the main points of interest

The Wkb will still only apply to new construction in consequence class 1 in 2025. Conversion projects may follow later in the year, but are currently exempted. For projects covered by the Wkb, the following applies:

• The municipality no longer tests the building plan for technical requirements; an approved, certified quality assurance company now does that.
• The quality assurance contractor conducts a risk assessment and draws up an assurance plan. This states when, how and on what components control takes place.
• The quality assurance officer adds this along with the other documents to the construction notification, which is submitted via the Environment Desk no later than 4 weeks before the start of construction.
• At least two working days before the actual start of construction, a start notification must be submitted.
• The client (usually the builder) chooses their own certified quality assurance contractor.

In short, the quality assurance contractor is a new, important player in the construction process.

The Wkb during implementation

The Wkb mainly changes the burden of proof. The contractor remains responsible for construction quality – even for hidden defects that only come to light after completion. Therefore, a complete and well-founded file must be built up during construction.

The assurance plan details exactly what needs to be checked. This may include measurement results, visual inspections (with photos), material specifications or certificates. Everything must be recorded and checked; demonstrability is essential.

That file ultimately forms the basis for the quality assurance officer’s statement at the time of completion. And, of course, in any future disputes about construction quality.

Wkb: extra cost or smart opportunity?

Many construction companies have their own quality approach, often already supported by certifications such as ISO 9001 or VCA. Still, the Wkb inevitably brings with it additional administration. And therefore also additional costs.

The risk is that good companies will pay for the failure of others. The government is trying to crack down on rogue parties with regulations, but at the same time it is threatening to add to the administrative workload for everyone.

The solution? Smart integration. Digitization helps keep the Wkb process lean, including on the administrative side.

Building smarter with digital quality assurance

The Wkb requires not only building with quality, but especially making that quality demonstrable. The quality module of LeanForms and PlanGarant was specially developed for this purpose. With this software you digitize the entire process: from risk assessment to quality control and from validation to assurance plan. All information is recorded centrally, automatically archived and provided with the correct authorizations. This allows you to work faster, avoid errors and keep a grip on each project. With this solution, you comply demonstrably with the Wkb, without any extra hassle.

Digitizing Wkb? Start with what you are already doing

Almost every construction company already records inspections for safety (VCA), for quality (ISO) or for internal controls. Much is still done on paper now, but it doesn’t have to be. With a user-friendly digital forms solution, you can easily expand existing processes or link them to the Wkb file. Think photos, signatures and validations, all stored digitally and automatically. In this way, quality assurance does not become an extra burden, but a logical part of your working method.