July 07, 2025
You know the saying: You get what you
pay for. And nowhere is that more obvious than in IT.
On the surface, a cheaper managed IT
services agreement might seem like a win: lower monthly costs, basic support,
maybe even some cybersecurity tools thrown in. But dig a little deeper, and
you'll often find hidden costs, sneaky exclusions and weak coverage that ends
up costing you far more in the long run.
In fact, after years of reviewing IT
contracts for small businesses, we've seen the same problems crop up again and
again. Below are five of the most common ways "budget" MSPs cut corners
- and how those corners turn into costly headaches for business owners.
1. Weak (Or Nonexistent)
Cybersecurity Protections
Basic antivirus is NOT cybersecurity.
Yet that's what most low-cost IT
providers install - and then call it a day. No 2FA, no advanced endpoint
detection, no employee training and no backup defense if something slips
through.
Why does that matter? Cyber insurance
carriers now require advanced cybersecurity measures before they'll even
offer you a policy, and if those aren't in place, your claim could be denied
after an attack.
We've seen businesses suffer tens of
thousands in damages because their MSP never set up the protections their
insurance required. That's not IT support. That's IT negligence.
2. Backups That Leave Out Half Your
Business
Most business owners assume tools like Microsoft 365 or Google
Workspace are backing up their data.
They're not. These tools have a BASIC-level
backup system but are not comprehensive solutions for disaster recovery or
long-term data retention.
Cheaper or inexperienced IT providers
often skip backups for cloud apps, CRMs and third-party platforms, which
can leave critical data unprotected. Worse, many don't offer immutable
backups, which are now a requirement for many cyber insurance policies.
Think your backups are covered? Ask your
current provider what they're backing up - and what they're not.
3. "Surprise!" Fees For On-Site Or After-Hours Support
Here's a common trick: quote a low
monthly rate, then charge extra every time you need support outside of normal
business hours…or when someone needs to show up in person.
We believe in flat, predictable pricing.
But many providers carve out on-site visits, after-hours help and even
emergencies so they can tack on fees later.
The result? You're constantly
second-guessing whether you should pick up the phone, and your team delays
calling support, which costs even more in downtime.
4. No Help With Vendors Or Third-Party Devices
Got an issue with your phones, Internet
or security cameras? Some IT companies will happily say, "That's not our
problem."
They'll even charge hourly just
to talk to your other vendors. And if your printer is connected to your network
but not part of their "approved" hardware list, they might refuse to help at
all.
We include full vendor liaison and
network support for everything that touches your business technology,
because problems don't always come from one place.
5. Inexperienced Techs And No One
Managing Your Account
One of the biggest red flags? A "one-man show" or a company that
hires entry-level techs on 1099s, with no proper strategy behind the support.
With budget MSPs, you might get help,
but you don't get guidance.
What you should be
getting is:
●
A dedicated account manager who helps you build
a technology road map
●
Proactive reviews of your cybersecurity,
compliance and backup health
●
Budget forecasting and upgrade planning
● A trusted advisor, not a tech support ticket system
Bottom Line: If It Looks Too Good To Be True…It Is.
The truth is, most small businesses
don't realize they're underprotected, until something breaks - a
ransomware attack, a server crash, a massive compliance fine.
By then, it's too late.
If you want IT that actually protects
your business, you need to look beyond the monthly
price tag. Ask the hard questions. Get the real answers. And don't let yourself
get stuck in a contract that leaves you exposed.
If you want to know what your IT
contract is missing, let us take a look at your network. We'll review your
current IT solutions for free, walk you through what's missing (if
anything) and give you an honest, jargon-free opinion on how to close the gaps.
Click here or give us a call at 833-863-2120 book your FREE Consult.
