Most small to mid-sized businesses begin their journey with limited resources, and understandably, cost-efficiency is a top priority.
One of the most common areas where business owners seek to save money is in IT support. Rather than partnering with a managed service provider (MSP), these businesses often start by hiring an independent IT technician. This individual—often a contractor or freelance tech expert—supports a handful of clients, working on a part-time or as-needed basis, often as a side business while holding another full-time job.
At first glance, this arrangement can seem like the perfect solution. But it’s important to recognize that as a company grows, its reliance on a single IT tech can become a significant liability.
The appeal of independent IT support
Hiring a solo IT tech offers a few clear advantages:
Cost Savings
Perhaps the most obvious benefit is financial. Hiring an independent contractor typically costs less than employing a full-time staff member or working with a larger IT firm. You only pay for the time or services you need.
Personalized Service
With fewer clients, an independent IT technician can often offer personalized and responsive service. They get to know your systems intimately and may be more invested in your success than someone from a larger, impersonal provider. However, if they become busy with other work or personal events, generally the service suffers.
Simplicity
For companies with limited IT needs—such as setting up email accounts, basic troubleshooting, or managing a few office workstations—a solo contractor can handle the workload efficiently without unnecessary complexity.
However, as with many things in business, what works in the beginning may not be sustainable over time.
When cost-effectiveness becomes risky
As your company grows, so do your technology needs. What once was a manageable setup can evolve into a complex ecosystem of cloud services, cybersecurity requirements, employee devices, network infrastructure, compliance regulations, data backups, and more.
Unfortunately, many businesses don't reassess their IT strategy until something goes wrong. Here are a few reasons why relying heavily on a single IT contractor can become a risk:
Single point of failure
When one person is responsible for all your IT operations, they become a single point of failure. If your contractor is sick, on vacation, or simply unavailable during an emergency, your business could suffer costly downtime. If they decide to move on or retire, the knowledge they’ve accumulated may leave with them, creating a disruptive transition period.
Limited expertise
No matter how skilled your contractor is, it’s unrealistic to expect one individual to be an expert in every area of IT. As your business scales, you may need specialized knowledge in areas like network security, cloud architecture, or compliance with industry regulations. Relying on a single IT generalist may leave critical gaps in your IT coverage.
Lack of scalability
A one-person (or even two-person) operation may not have the bandwidth to support your growing workforce, increased data needs, or more complex software systems. As demand increases, response times can suffer, and proactive planning often takes a back seat to reactive problem-solving.
Security risks
With cyber threats becoming more sophisticated and frequent, businesses must adopt a proactive, layered approach to security. An overstretched or under-resourced contractor may not have the time or tools to implement best practices for cybersecurity, leaving your systems vulnerable to breaches, ransomware, and data loss.
Inadequate documentation and processes
Independent contractors often work informally, with limited documentation of configurations, passwords, or recovery procedures. This lack of transparency can create problems if you ever need to transition to a new provider or scale up your IT operations.
Know your current and future IT needs
Hiring an independent IT contractor can be a smart move when your business is small and your IT needs are simple.
It’s cost-effective, personal, and often sufficient—for a while. But as your company grows, so does the complexity of your IT infrastructure and the risk associated with relying on a single point of contact.
Forward-thinking businesses recognize that IT is not just a support function, it’s a strategic asset. Reassessing your IT approach before problems arise can save you time, money, and headaches down the road.
So whether you choose to go with an IT technician or partner with a managed service provider, the key is to plan proactively and scale your IT strategy in step with your business goals.
