In the world of building-energy assessments, the shift toward independent, agile freelance inspectors is clear. For professionals certified in PEB (Wallonia / Brussels) or EPC (Flanders) inspections, launching your own freelance business means more autonomy but also a responsibility to handle legal, administrative, technical and operational tasks.  

In this article, we outline the essential roadmap for starting your freelance certification business in Belgium, and explain how the platform ExpertOps can reduce administrative effort so you focus on your field expertise. 

1. Legal and formal establishment 

1. Registering as self-employed 

   If you wish to work as a freelance inspector in Belgium, you must register with the appropriate authorities. According to the “Self-Employed Social Status” guide from the federal economy department, a person carrying out professional activity in Belgium for which they are not an employee is considered self-employed. You must join a social insurance fund for self-employed, pay quarterly contributions, and comply with formal registration via the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE).  

   Additionally, contributions for self-employed persons amount to about 20.5% of gross net taxable income (plus administrative fees) for those in main activity. 

2. Tax and VAT registration 

   You will need to register for tax and likely for VAT (if your turnover exceeds certain thresholds). The guide for freelancers in Belgium notes that you need to maintain clear records, open a business bank account, and comply with VAT rules.

3. Professional certification 

   Since you are offering PEB/EPC services, you will need to ensure you hold the certified credentials required by your regional regulator and are approved to issue certificates. Broadly speaking, an energy-performance certifier must be trained, accredited and authorised.  

2. Administrative foundations and toolset 

1. Business structure and contracts 

   Draft your service agreement (“mission letter”) clearly stating scope (energy inspection, report issuance), remuneration, delivery terms, liability. Since you are independent, mis-classification risk must be avoided: you are not an employee of your clients. 

2. Insurance coverage 

   As a freelance certifier you may face risks (errors in a certificate, damage on site, data breach). Business insurance (professional indemnity, public liability) is strongly recommended.  

3. Accounting and invoicing tools.

   Setting up an efficient accounting and invoicing system is crucial. Note that upcoming regulation in Belgium requires structured e-invoicing for B2B transactions from 1 January 2026 (see below), your invoicing tool must be ready. 

4. Choosing software to manage your business 

   You will need scheduling tools, reporting workflows, client database, document management. A fully integrated platform like ExpertOps helps you streamline administrative workflows so you can spend more time onsite and less time on spreadsheets and chasing signatures. 

3. Technical readiness and workflow design 

1. Define your inspection workflow 

   Map out each stage of your certification mission: scheduling with owner/tenant, site visit, data capture (building envelope, heating/ventilation systems, insulation, etc.), calculation of performance rating, report issuance, invoicing. 

2. Capture the right data and ensure compliance 

   Energy-performance inspections demand structured data: building typology, floor area, vintage, HVAC systems, insulation levels. Familiarise yourself with how building certifications (PEB/EPC) work in Belgium (e.g., rating A-G, kWh/m²/yr) to underpin your service offering. 

3. Scheduling and client coordination 

   The nature of PEB/EPC inspections often involves multiple stakeholders (owner, tenant, technical sub-contractor). Implement a tool that supports complex scheduling and real-time updates. ExpertOps supports integrated scheduling, task dependencies and reminders — reducing administrative friction. 

4. Data governance and audit readiness 

   You will handle personal data of building owners/tenants and technical inspection data. Ensure your workflows support traceability, retention and deletion. This reduces risk and supports regulatory compliance (GDPR, audit readiness). Choosing a system with built-in audit logs is a smart move. 

   
   

5. Marketing your freelance service and developing your pipeline 

1. Define your niche 

   Will you serve residential only, non-residential, or a mix (offices, retail)? Each segment (Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels) has its own rules and client types (owner-occupiers, landlords, estate agencies). 

2. Build an online presence 

   Create a website referencing your inspection service, certification capability, region(s) served, qualifications. Use search engine optimisation (references to “PEB certifier Brussels”, “EPC non-residential Flanders”), LinkedIn, and local networks. 

3. Approach potential clients 

   Property managers, estate agencies, facility services, HVAC contractors are key referral sources. Use targeted outreach and educate them on regulatory obligations and value-added service. 

4. Present your value proposition 

   Explain faster turnaround, integrated scheduling, clear reports, audit-ready documentation. Highlight that you use a professional tool (ExpertOps) to streamline processes, this adds credibility. 

5. Pricing strategy 

   Establish your pricing model: flat fee per inspection plus report issuance, or variable cost depending on building size and complexity. Ensure you build in administrative overhead, travel time and software subscription cost into your margin. 

   
   

6. Launching operations and scaling 

1. Pilot your first missions 

   Begin with small jobs, refine your workflow, test schedule management, data capture and invoicing. Use ExpertOps to monitor how much time you spend on admin vs. inspection.

2. Monitor performance and adjust 

   Track metrics: inspections per week, average turnaround time, report acceptance rate, invoice days outstanding, re-works due to missing info. Use these to refine your processes.

3. Build partnerships and subcontracting 

   As workload grows, you may need subcontractors (technicians, inspectors). ExpertOps supports multi-party workflows and helps you coordinate subcontractors, track tasks, and maintain traceability. 

4. Stay informed about regulation 

   PEB/EPC rules change regularly in Belgium’s regions. Keep up with regulatory updates so you remain compliant and can advise clients accordingly. 

5. Invest in continuous improvement 

   As your business grows, upgrade your tools, expand your service portfolio (e.g., certification + maintenance link, retro-fit advisory). Use your toolset (ExpertOps) to support this evolution. 

7. How ExpertOps supports your freelance journey 

   The platform ExpertOps is built for professionals in the property-inspection and certification space. For a freelance PEB/EPC certifier, here’s how it helps: 

• Integrated scheduling: allows you to book site visits efficiently, manage owner/tenant/technician availability, avoid double-bookings and automates reminders. 

• Data-entry templates aligned with certification missions: you can create check-lists, capture inspection data, link to properties and clients, reducing manual entry and risk of omission. 

• Documentation hub : Keep all your certification related documents organised and sorted according to the respective clients and properties, never lose track of important documentation. 

• Workflow traceability: each inspection step (booking, site visit, report generation, invoicing) is logged; this supports audit-readiness and professional credibility. 

• Invoicing and documentation support: as you start your business you want an invoicing tool ready for the upcoming 2026 e-invoicing mandate in Belgium. ExpertOps integrates your inspection workflow with invoicing so you don’t juggle separate tools. 

• Scaling friendly: whether you’re solo or plan to grow, ExpertOps supports adding subcontractors collaborators and enables  coordination with them , tracking KPIs and centralising documentation, enabling you to make decisions based on operational insight. 

8. Summary roadmap 

• Legally register as self-employed, join social insurance fund, apply for VAT if applicable. 

• Secure your professional credentials and insurance cover. 

• Set up your business infrastructure: scheduling, software tool (ExpertOps), accounting and invoicing. 

• Define your workflow: from appointment booking to report and invoice issuance, ensuring data capture and regulatory compliance. 

• Market your service: niche definition, website, outreach, partner network. 

• Launch and refine operations: pilot jobs, monitor metrics, adjust pricing and service model. 

• Scale sustainably: add team/subcontractors, expand services, reinvest in digital workflows and toolsets. 

Conclusion 

Starting a freelance PEB/EPC certification business in Belgium is a compelling path to offering autonomy, client impact and growth potential. But success depends on more than technical expertise: you must manage legal registration, tax and social security compliance, efficient workflows, data capture, scheduling and invoicing.  

A professional and integrated tool like ExpertOps gives you the infrastructure to reduce administrative drag and focus on the value you deliver in the field. Use this roadmap, build your process foundation early, and you position yourself for a scalable, future-ready freelance certification business. 

Bibliography 

1. How to start working as a freelancer in Belgium. Blog Xolo, 29 July 2025. https://blog.xolo.io/guide-to-becoming-and-working-as-a-freelancer-in-belgium 

2. The self-employed social status: obligations and rights. hub.brussels. https://info.hub.brussels/en/guide/start-business-formalities/self-employed-social-status-obligations-and-rights 

3. Social security contributions for the self-employed in Belgium. Accountable Blog, March 2025. https://www.accountable.eu/en-be/blog/social-security-contributions-self-employed/ 

4. Belgium e-Invoicing FAQs: Rules, Scope and 2026. ClearTax, 10 Aug 2025. https://www.cleartax.com/be/e-invoicing-belgium-faqs 

5. How to become an EPC assessor (With types and FAQs). Indeed Career Guide, 5 June 2025. https://uk.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-become-epc-assessor 

6. Belgium E-invoicing mandate & Peppol rules. Sovos, 2025. https://sovos.com/vat/tax-rules/belgium-e-invoicing/