Let’s get real: when an IT provider hands you a surprisingly low quote, you should be suspicious, not excited.

At first glance, it may look like you’re getting a great deal. But by the time the first invoice hits, you’ll likely discover the truth: you’re not paying less — you’re paying later. And often, much more than you expected.

Why “Cheap” Rarely Means “Value”

As we said before, no two IT services agreements are alike. Unless you’re technically savvy (and most C-level execs understandably aren’t), you won’t know if what’s being quoted is overpriced, underpowered, or intentionally vague.

Here’s the dirty secret of the IT industry:
Cheap MSPs often hide critical exclusions in the fine print. The base price seems low,  but by the following month, you’re slapped with hidden charges for “add-ons” that should’ve been included from the start.

They’ll nickel-and-dime you for everything:

  • After-hours support
  • Onsite visits
  • Advanced cybersecurity
  • Backup recovery
  • Even talking to your internet provider

The result? You get blindsided, budgets spiral, and trust erodes.

The Top 5 Things “Cheap” IT Providers Leave Out

1️⃣ Grossly Inadequate Compliance & Cybersecurity Protections

Cybersecurity is non-negotiable, especially with ransomware on the rise and insurance companies tightening their requirements.

Cheap IT providers often stop at a basic antivirus (if that). But if they’re not offering:

  • Cyber awareness training
  • Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
  • Advanced endpoint detection and response (EDR)
  • Regular vulnerability assessments

…you’re on your own when a breach happens, and your cyber insurance claim may be denied.

We include all of these protections standard because skipping them is a liability we won’t let you carry.

2️⃣ Inadequate Backup & Disaster Recovery

It’s not just about backing up your servers, your Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and line-of-business apps also need secure, immutable backups.

Cheap MSPs often cut corners here, assuming your cloud apps “back themselves up” (spoiler: they don’t). If your backups aren’t protected from corruption or ransomware, you’re gambling with your data — and your business.

3️⃣ Carve-Outs for On-Site or After-Hours Support

Surprise! That $99 support fee doesn’t cover after 5 p.m. Or on-site help. Or even holidays.
Suddenly, every “incident” comes with a separate invoice.

We include 24/7 support and on-site service in our flat-rate pricing, because we know downtime doesn’t respect business hours.

4️⃣ No Vendor Liaison or 3rd-Party Support

Having internet problems? Phone system outage? Printer glitch?

Most providers will say, “Not our responsibility.” Ours won’t.

We act as your IT quarterback, handling all your tech vendors so you don’t waste hours chasing support across five platforms.

5️⃣ Cheap Labor and Zero Account Management

Cut-rate MSPs often rely on freelancers, entry-level techs, or outsourced staff with no long-term commitment to your business.

Worse, they don’t assign dedicated account managers. That means no IT roadmap, no budgeting guidance, no proactive planning… just reactive support that waits for something to break.

We provide dedicated, U.S.-based account managers who handle:

  • Quarterly IT reviews
  • Roadmapping and budgeting
  • Compliance strategy
  • Business continuity planning

It’s the difference between being just another ticket and being a true partner.

Buyer Beware: What to Look for in an SLA

Before you sign any managed IT agreement, read the fine print, or better yet, compare it to ours. Make sure it clearly spells out:

  • What’s included and excluded
  •  Guaranteed response times
  • After-hours & onsite support terms
  • Cybersecurity protections
  • Backup and disaster recovery setup
  • Cancellation policy and exit terms
  • Liability coverage and insurance requirements

The Smartest Way to Save Money on IT? Pick the Right Partner.

Don’t fall for the cheapest quote, especially when the real price comes later. What feels like savings today can become your biggest IT expense tomorrow.

The best way to avoid hidden costs is to partner with an IT provider that’s transparent, experienced, and engineered for your industry.

Want to Compare Apples to Apples?

Download our FREE IT Buyer’s Guide
or better yet, schedule a side-by-side proposal comparison. We’ll show you exactly what other providers leave out (and what we include from Day 1).