Network Essentials agreements are month-to-month from day one. There is no annual contract. You can cancel with 30 days’ written notice, for any reason, with no termination fee. We work this way because a provider that has to earn your business every month behaves differently from one that has you locked in for three years.
The short version
- Term: month-to-month, starting the first day.
- Annual contract: none.
- To cancel: 30 days’ written notice, for any reason.
- Termination fee: none.
- Pricing: a flat monthly fee. Managed IT engagements start at $2,000 per month.
- Applies to: fully managed IT, co-managed IT and our managed Zscaler service.
Why we work this way
A long contract protects the provider. It guarantees revenue whether or not the tickets get answered. We would rather be judged every month on the work: the response times, the patching, the security reviews, and whether your people can get on with their day.
It also keeps the conversation honest. If something is not working, you do not need a lawyer to fix it. You tell us, and we either put it right or you leave.
What happens if you decide to leave
- You send written notice. No reason is needed.
- Service continues as normal for 30 days, and you pay for that final month.
- During those 30 days our team works with your new provider and hands over your documentation, so the next team starts with a full picture of your environment.
- There is no termination fee and nothing further to pay for our services.
Two things that are not month-to-month
We would rather you read these here than find them later.
- A one-time onboarding fee. It covers part of the cost of taking in your documentation from your previous provider and setting up monitoring and security. It is charged once.
- Microsoft’s annual license discount, if you choose it. Microsoft offers a lower price on licenses in return for an annual commitment. If you pick that option, the commitment is with Microsoft for those licenses. It is separate from our agreement, which stays month-to-month. You can also keep your Microsoft licenses on monthly terms.
Five contract questions to ask any IT provider
Use these on us and on anyone else you are considering.
- How long is the initial term, and does it renew automatically?
- How much notice do I have to give, and is there a window I can miss?
- Is there a termination fee, or do I owe the remaining months if I leave early?
- Who holds the documentation for my network, and will you hand it to the next provider?
- Which parts of my bill are commitments to a third party, such as software licenses, and which are commitments to you?
Frequently asked questions
Is there a minimum term?
No. The agreement is month-to-month from the first day. There is no initial term and no annual contract.
Is there a fee to cancel?
No. Give 30 days’ written notice, for any reason. You pay for that final month of service, and there is no termination fee.
What do I get during the 30-day notice period?
Normal service, plus the handover. Our team works with your new provider and passes along your documentation.
Is there a setup fee?
There is a one-time onboarding fee. It covers part of the cost of taking in your documentation from your previous provider and setting up monitoring and security.
Am I locked in if I take Microsoft’s annual license discount?
Only to Microsoft, and only for those licenses. Your agreement with Network Essentials stays month-to-month.
See it in writing before you decide
Ask us for the agreement on the first call and read it for yourself. Call (704) 206-8900 or request a free IT audit.