Before You Choose or Renew an IT Provider, Ask These 21 Questions
Learn what IT support should cost, what your agreement should include, and how to spot hidden fees, contract exclusions, and weak support before you sign.
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Approximately 75 years of combined experience · MSP recognition in 2018 and 2023 · 24/7/365 help desk availability
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Four things every business leader should understand before choosing or renewing an IT provider.
How IT Support Is Priced
Understand the three most common IT service and pricing models and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
What You Should Expect to Pay
Get practical pricing information to help you compare quotes and understand what affects the monthly cost.
Where Additional Costs Can Hide
Learn which exclusions, fees, contract terms, and limited services can make a lower-priced proposal cost more later.
The 21 Questions Every Provider Should Answer
Use the checklist before choosing, signing with, or renewing an IT provider.
The Same Monthly Price Can Include Very Different Support
Two IT proposals can appear nearly identical while including very different levels of service, security, backup, planning, and accountability.
- Backups listed, but monitoring and testing are extra
- Onsite visits billed hourly, on top of the plan
- Support routed to an offshore queue
- Documentation and credentials owned by the provider
- Security and compliance responsibility left unclear
- Setup and onboarding fees added after you sign
- Backups protected, monitored, and tested
- Remote and onsite support included
- A responsive, local help desk
- You own your documentation and credentials
- Clear security and compliance responsibilities
- Predictable costs with no surprise fees
What Are You Actually Getting for Your Money?
The lowest proposal is not always the lowest total cost. Before comparing monthly fees, make sure you understand what is included, what is excluded, and who is accountable when something goes wrong.
Get Your Free Guide →Choose Your IT Provider With Confidence
Your IT provider may be responsible for keeping your employees working, protecting important information, maintaining backups, supporting your network, and helping your organization recover when something goes wrong.
You Don't Need to Be an IT Expert
You should not have to be an IT expert to understand whether a proposal meets your needs. The I.T. Buyers Guide explains the important differences in practical business language so you can compare providers, ask better questions, and make a more informed decision.
Better Questions Lead to Better Decisions
Before you sign or renew, make sure you understand:
See what you should understand first
- How employees request support
- What response expectations are in writing
- Which services are included
- Which fees may be charged separately
- How backups are protected and tested
- Who owns and controls your documentation
- Who is accountable for security, compliance, and outside vendors
Questions to ask before you commit
The complete checklist helps clarify what you are receiving before you place your employees, systems, and business information in a provider's hands.
Get Your Free Guide →Practical Guidance From a Local IT Team
IT Pros Northwest created this guide to help business owners and organizational leaders compare IT providers with greater clarity and confidence. We support organizations throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington with managed IT, cybersecurity, cloud, backup, compliance guidance, and responsive help desk support.
- Approximately 75 years of combined experience
- MSP recognition in 2018 and 2023
- Remote and onsite support
- 24/7/365 help desk availability
- Managed IT, cybersecurity, and compliance through one provider
Two thumbs up for your team. You handled the issue the same day, got the laptop working and saved us from buying a replacement. Thanks for having us covered!
Reliable support. Stronger security. Fewer IT surprises.
A Few Quick Answers
Is the guide really free?
Yes. There is no cost or obligation.
Do I have to become a customer?
No. The guide is an educational resource designed to help you make a more informed IT decision.
Who is the guide for?
It is written for business owners, organizational leaders, operations professionals, administrators, financial decision-makers, and anyone responsible for selecting or managing an IT provider.
How will I receive it?
Complete the form and the guide will be sent directly to your inbox.
Know What You're Getting Before You Sign
Do not wait until an outage, unexpected invoice, or urgent support request to discover what your IT agreement does not include. Download the free guide and learn how to compare providers, understand IT pricing, and ask the right questions before making your decision.
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