“I’ve Got an IT Guy” vs Managed IT for Construction Companies: Which Actually Costs Less?
For most construction companies, relying on “an IT guy” costs more over time than managed IT services, even if it feels cheaper upfront.
Construction firms with an internal IT person or a go-to technician often spend $3,000–$8,000 per month in downtime, emergency fixes, and lost productivity during busy project periods.
By comparison, managed IT services typically cost $150–$185 per user per month and reduce downtime by 30–40%, resulting in lower total costs over a 12-month period.
Why “I’ve Got an IT Guy” Is So Common in Construction
Most construction companies don’t start with managed IT. They usually have:
- A former employee who “knows computers”
- A solo IT technician they call when something breaks
- An internal IT person wearing multiple hats
This approach works until:
- A jobsite goes down
- A field device is lost or compromised
- A ransomware or phishing incident hits
- Projects scale faster than IT can keep up
At that point, costs spike and fast.
Framework: “IT Guy” vs Managed IT for Construction Companies
1. Cost Predictability
“I’ve Got an IT Guy”
- Hourly or salary-based cost
- Overtime and emergency rates
- No clear monthly budget
- Unexpected $5k–$15k incidents
Managed IT
- Fixed monthly cost
- Unlimited support included
- Predictable budgeting year-round
Winner: Managed IT
2. Jobsite Downtime & Response Time
“IT Guy”
- One person supporting everything
- Limited availability
- Delays during peak project phases
Managed IT
- Team-based support
- Faster response times (often under 60 minutes)
- Proactive monitoring prevents outages
Winner: Managed IT
3. Cybersecurity Coverage
“IT Guy”
- Reactive security
- Limited time for monitoring
- Backups often untested
- High ransomware and phishing risk
Managed IT
- 24/7 monitoring
- Email and endpoint protection
- Tested backups and recovery plans
Winner: Managed IT
4. Support for Field Devices & Jobsites
“IT Guy”
- Office-focused support
- Limited mobile device management
- Inconsistent jobsite connectivity help
Managed IT
- Full support for phones, tablets, laptops
- Secure jobsite networks
- Mobile device management and remote wipe
Winner: Managed IT
5. Scalability as Projects Grow
“IT Guy”
- Bottleneck as company grows
- Knowledge locked to one person
- Risk if they’re unavailable or leave
Managed IT
- Scales with jobsites and staff
- Documented systems
- No single point of failure
Winner: Managed IT
Real Construction Example (Southwest Florida)
A 22-employee construction company relied on an internal “IT guy” and averaged $4,000–$6,000 per month in downtime, emergency fixes, and productivity losses during peak season.
After switching to a $175/user/month managed IT plan, the company:
- Reduced downtime by 40%
- Eliminated surprise IT emergencies
- Improved jobsite response times
Over 12 months, total IT-related costs dropped by approximately $30,000.
When “Having an IT Guy” Still Makes Sense
This model may work if:
- You have fewer than 5 employees
- No active jobsites
- Minimal cybersecurity exposure
- No growth plans
For most construction companies with multiple projects and field teams, it becomes a risk.
Why Construction Companies in Fort Myers Move Beyond “An IT Guy”
- Faster jobsite support
- Stronger cybersecurity
- Predictable IT costs
- Less downtime during active projects
- No single point of failure
Bottom Line
“I’ve got an IT guy” often feels cheaper until projects are delayed, devices fail, or security incidents occur.
For growing construction companies, managed IT usually costs less overall while providing better protection, faster support, and fewer disruptions.
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