You know the saying: You get what you pay for. 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. Dig a little deeper and you will 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 have 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 is 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 will even offer you a policy, and if those are not in place, your claim could be denied after an attack.
We have seen businesses suffer tens of thousands in damages because their MSP never set up the protections their insurance required. That is not IT support. That is 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 are 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 do not offer immutable backups, which are now a requirement for many cyber insurance policies.
Think your backups are covered? Ask your current provider what they are backing up and what they are not.
3. “Surprise!” Fees For On-Site Or After-Hours Support
Here is 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 are 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 is not our problem.”
They will 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 do not 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 do not 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 do not realize they are underprotected, until something breaks: a ransomware attack, a server crash, a massive compliance fine.
By then, it is 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 do not 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 will review your current IT solutions for free, walk you through what is missing (if anything) and give you an honest, jargon-free opinion on how to close the gaps.
Click here to book your FREE IT Risk Assessment.
