Surprise technology bills, emergency repairs, and the high expense of an in-house IT team create a constant strain on business budgets. For owners aiming to grow while staying in control of expenses, these unpredictable costs aren’t just an annoyance—they can derail plans, erode trust, and limit your business’s ability to invest in what really matters.

Why In-House IT Costs So Much

Maintaining your own IT staff is far more expensive than it first appears:

• Salaries and Benefits: A modest in-house IT team for a 40-employee business can run upwards of $192,600 per year—about $402 per user per month. This includes wages for technicians, managers, and benefits that typically add 31% or more to the base salary.
• Recruitment and Training: The average cost-per-hire for IT roles is about $4,700, not counting the 8 to 26 weeks of ramp-up time. Added to this are regular education costs needed to keep skills up to date in a rapidly changing tech landscape.
• Overhead: Beyond staff, you’re paying for hardware, software licenses (ranging from $500–$18,000 monthly), space, insurance, PTO, and infrastructure.
• Turnover: IT has one of the highest turnover rates in any industry. Every time someone leaves, you lose critical knowledge and must bear the cost of recruitment, onboarding, and lost productivity—sometimes as much as 200% of annual salary for that position.

Why Unpredictable IT Costs Threaten Your Business

• Budget Surprises: Emergency fixes, one-time service charges, and unclear contracts can cause your monthly expenses to swing wildly, making it impossible to forecast cash flow or plan for the year ahead.
• Productivity Losses: Downtime due to system failures not only costs thousands in lost business per hour but also damages your reputation and relationships.
• Reactive Spending: Fixing problems as they arise is always more expensive than proactively maintaining equipment or systems. Without a predictable monthly IT plan, you’re forced to “rob Peter to pay Paul” when something inevitably breaks.

Take Action: Steps to Regain Control

• Conduct an IT Audit: Know exactly what you’re spending, where, and why.
• Distinguish Must-Haves: Separate essential services from legacy software or non-critical expenses.
• Move to a Managed IT Model: Managed IT services typically cost just $125–$220 per user per month, offering budgeting clarity and reducing surprises.
• Schedule Reviews: Revisit IT budgets quarterly and adjust for business changes early.
• Consolidate Vendors: Limit the number of external suppliers so that responsibility is clear, and costs are contained.

How Farmhouse Networking Can Help

Farmhouse Networking partners with you to:

• Uncover Hidden Savings: Our audits often find areas to cut unnecessary costs.
• Flat-Rate Managed IT: We offer comprehensive support—including monitoring, proactive maintenance, cybersecurity, and strategy sessions—for one predictable monthly fee.
• Quarterly Reviews and Strategic Planning: Stay ahead of risks and keep your IT spend aligned with your business goals.
• Hands-Off Vendor Management: Eliminate redundant contracts and ensure every dollar spent delivers real value.

Ready to End Unpredictable IT Spending?

Take charge of your IT budget and redirect savings to initiatives that drive your business forward. Contact Farmhouse Networking to schedule your complimentary IT cost assessment.