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 to book your FREE IT Risk Assessment.

TOSS C3 is the trusted Cyber Technology and Security provider located in Massachusetts specialized in serving law firms, libraries, local governments, healthcare providers and the Fortune 1000 throughout the USA.