Today we’re answering one of the most common questions we get from new prospective clients: “What are my IT support costs if I work with you?” In our last blog, we discussed the most common models – break-fix and managed IT services. In this post, we’ll delve into the fee details.
The price ranges are industry averages from a recent survey by Service Leadership, a trusted consulting firm. Service Leadership collects, analyzes, and reports on the financial metrics of IT services firms from around the country.
This information offers a general idea of what most IT service providers charge. This will help you navigate the vast differences in service contracts, before you sign on the dotted line. Remember, it’s not just about the price; it’s about what you get for your money. Cheaper IT firms might hide the true cost, and the lowest bid might end up costing you a lot more than you bargained for.
With that in mind, here are the cost ranges for IT services and IT support for small businesses in the Washington, DC area.
Hourly Break-Fix Costs
Most IT services companies selling break-fix services charge between $150 and $275 per hour, with a one-hour minimum. In some cases, they will give you a discount on the hourly IT support charge if you purchase and pay for a block of hours in advance.
As we discussed, this approach works best for microbusinesses that are not hosting or processing client data that is considered “sensitive,” such as health records, financial information like credit cards, Social Security numbers, etc., and that have very simple IT. This is definitely not the approach a growing business with five-plus employees would want to choose.
Project Costs
Fees for one-time projects vary widely based on the scope and the complexity of the project. If you are hiring an IT consulting firm for a project, you should expect the following:
- A detailed scope of work that specifies what “success” is. Make sure to document your expectations in performance, workflow, costs, security, access, etc. The more detailed you can be, the better. Clarifying your expectations up front will go a long way toward avoiding miscommunications and additional fees later.
- A budget and time frame for completion. Agreeing to this up front aligns both your agenda and the consultant’s. Be very wary of hourly estimates that allow the consulting firm to bill you unconditionally for “unforeseen” circumstances.
Managed IT Services Costs
Managed IT services firms will quote your monthly IT support costs based on the number of devices, users, and locations they maintain. The average fee per user (employee) ranges from $146.08 to $249.73 per month including licensing, cyber security, and network/cloud support costs.
Obviously, as with all services, you get what you pay for. Paying more often means better operational maturity, cybersecurity, and compliance services. “Operationally mature” MSPs typically charge more because they are far more disciplined and capable of delivering cyber security and compliance services than smaller, cheaper-priced MSPs. They also include CIO (chief information officer) services and dedicated account management, have better financial controls (so they aren’t running so lean that they are in danger of closing their doors) and can afford to hire and keep knowledgeable, qualified techs vs. junior engineers or cheap, outsourced labor. Cheaper MSPs may cut corners, risking the quality of service and omitting critical security measures. Prioritize what aligns with your business needs and consider the value beyond the price.
Are you done with ongoing IT problems, downtime and ineffective systems? Then it’s time you gave Invario a call. Let us deliver the responsive, quality IT support you want with friendly, US-based techs who are both knowledgeable and easy to work with.
Schedule your free initial consultation with one of our senior advisors by calling us at 703-528-0101 or contacting us here.
On this call we can discuss your unique situation and any concerns you have. We’ll also answer any questions you have about our services and how we might be able to help you. We are also happy to provide you with a competitive bid.