June 30, 2025
You Get What You Pay For: The Hidden Costs of Cheap IT
You know the saying: You get what you pay for. Nowhere is that truer than when it comes to IT.
At first glance, a lower-cost managed IT services agreement might seem like a great deal: lower monthly fees, some basic support, and maybe even a few cybersecurity tools thrown in. But look closer, and you'll often uncover hidden costs, gaps in coverage, and sneaky exclusions that can end up costing your business far more in the long run.
After years of reviewing IT contracts for small and midsize businesses, we've seen the same issues pop up time and again. Here are five of the most common ways "budget" IT providers cut corners—and how those shortcuts can turn into costly problems.
1. Weak (or Missing) Cybersecurity
Basic antivirus is not cybersecurity.
Yet that's all many low-cost IT providers deliver—and then call it a day. No multi-factor authentication (2FA), no advanced endpoint protection, no employee training, and no layered backup strategy to catch what slips through.
Why does this matter? Today, cyber insurance carriers require advanced protections before they'll even issue a policy. If those defenses aren't in place and you suffer a breach, your claim could be denied—and your business left on the hook.
We've seen companies lose tens of thousands of dollars simply because their MSP failed to implement the safeguards required by their insurance. That's not IT support; that's IT negligence.
2. Backups That Don't Cover Everything
Many business owners assume tools like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace automatically back up all their data.
They don't. While they offer basic versioning and short-term recovery, they're not full backup solutions for disaster recovery or long-term data retention.
Inexperienced or budget IT providers often neglect to back up data in cloud apps, CRMs, and third-party platforms. Even worse, many skip immutable backups—which are now a standard requirement for many cyber insurance policies.
Think you're fully protected? Ask your provider exactly what is backed up—and what isn't.
3. Surprise Fees for On-Site or After-Hours Support
One common tactic: quote a rock-bottom monthly rate, then charge extra whenever you need help outside of business hours—or if someone has to show up on-site.
We believe in flat, predictable pricing. But many MSPs intentionally carve out these services so they can bill extra later.
The result? Your team hesitates to call for help, downtime stretches longer, and what looked like a cheap service ends up costing more than a comprehensive plan.
4. "Not Our Problem" When Vendors Are Involved
Got an issue with your internet, phones, or security cameras? Some IT providers won't touch it—they'll either say "not our problem" or charge hourly just to talk to your other vendors.
And if your printer or other network-connected device isn't on their "approved" list, they might refuse to help altogether.
We take a different approach: full vendor management and support for everything connected to your network, because problems rarely come neatly packaged from just one source.
5. Inexperienced Techs and No Strategic Guidance
One of the biggest red flags? An MSP that's really a "one-man shop," or that relies on a handful of entry-level contractors with no big-picture strategy.
With bargain IT providers, you might get help—but you don't get leadership.
What your business really needs is:
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A dedicated account manager and strategic advisor
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Regular reviews of your cybersecurity, compliance, and backup posture
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Budget forecasting and upgrade planning
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Someone who helps build a technology roadmap—not just answers tickets
Bottom Line: If It Sounds Too Good to Be True, It Probably Is
Too many businesses don't realize they're under protected until disaster strikes—a ransomware attack, a hardware failure, or a compliance penalty.
By then, it's too late.
If you want IT that truly protects your business, don't focus only on the monthly fee. Ask tough questions. Demand real answers. And don't settle for a contract that leaves you vulnerable.
Want to find out what your current IT plan might be missing?
Let us help. We'll review your IT solutions for free, walk you through what's covered and what's not—and give you a clear, jargon-free assessment of how to close the gaps.
📞 Call us at 866 766 1313 or [click here] to book your FREE Discovery call.