You’ve heard it before: You get what you pay for. That’s especially true when it comes to IT support.
At first glance, a low-cost IT provider might seem like a great deal. They’ll promise basic support, maybe throw in some antivirus software, and keep your monthly bill nice and low. But what they don’t tell you is what they’re not doing — and that’s where the real cost starts adding up.
After years of helping small businesses untangle their IT messes, we’ve seen it all. Here are five ways budget IT providers cut corners — and how those shortcuts can end up costing you more than you bargained for.
1. Cybersecurity? Barely.
Some “IT companies” install basic antivirus and call it good. No multi-factor authentication. No advanced threat detection. No training for your team. No disaster recovery plan.
And here’s the kicker — cyber insurance carriers require those things now. If your provider doesn’t put them in place and something goes wrong, your insurance claim could be denied.
We’ve seen small businesses lose tens of thousands of dollars because their IT provider skipped the essentials. That’s not support — that’s negligence.
2. Backups That Don’t Actually Back Anything Up
A lot of businesses assume that Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace is backing up their files. The truth? They’re not. At least not in a way that helps if ransomware hits or someone accidentally deletes critical data.
Budget providers often skip backups for things like CRMs, cloud apps, and other platforms you rely on. And most don’t offer immutable backups — which are now required by many cyber insurers.
Bottom line: If your backups aren’t being reviewed regularly (and tested), you might not have backups at all.
3. “Gotcha” Fees for After-Hours or On-Site Support
This one’s sneaky. Some IT companies quote you a low monthly rate — then bill extra any time someone needs to come out or you need help outside of 8–5.
We believe support should be predictable. When something breaks, you shouldn’t hesitate to call because you’re worried about hidden charges. Downtime is expensive enough already.
4. “That’s Not Our Problem” – Vendor Support Not Included
Ever had your IT guy tell you to “call your phone provider” or “deal with the printer company”? Some low-cost shops only support a narrow list of hardware or systems, and charge extra (or refuse altogether) to help with anything else.
At Tigerhawk, we handle everything on your network — phones, Internet, printers, cameras, you name it. Because in the real world, tech problems rarely stay in their lane.
5. No Strategy. No Roadmap. Just a Ticket Number.
Some “providers” are just one guy and a cell phone. Others might have a few junior techs working part-time or as contractors.
Sure, you might get a response eventually — but who’s watching the big picture? Who’s planning for upgrades, reviewing your security, or helping you stay compliant?
Good IT isn’t just fixing what breaks. It’s about guiding your business forward with:
- Proactive reviews of security, backups, and risks
- Clear technology planning and budgeting
- A real partnership — not a patch job
Bottom Line: If It Feels Too Cheap, It Probably Is
The worst part about cheap IT? You usually don’t realize what’s missing until something breaks — and by then, it’s too late.
If you want to make sure your IT support is actually protecting your business, we’re happy to take a look. We’ll review your current setup, explain any risks we see (in plain English), and give you honest advice — no pressure, no sales pitch.