If you run a construction, HVAC, plumbing, or electrical business, you’ve probably worked with a “tech guy” at some point. A person who shows up when something breaks, fixes it, and disappears until the next fire. But today’s world is different. Cyberattacks, data theft, and downtime can shut down a skilled trades company faster than ever. That’s why the industry needs far more than a tech guy for skilled trades; it needs a real IT partner.

Studies show that 73% of small and mid-sized businesses experienced a cyberattack in the last year.  If you’re thinking, “We’re too small; hackers only care about big companies,” I can tell you that’s one of the biggest myths putting skilled trades companies at risk.

The "We're Too Small" Myth Is Hurting Skilled Trades

In the field, we see attacks and near misses all the time, especially in companies with 10–75 employees. Fake invoices, compromised email accounts, and poisoned links are the new normal. Hackers know smaller contractors usually have weaker security and fewer people watching their systems.

In fact, small businesses are three times more likely to be targeted than large enterprises.

We’ve seen companies almost wire tens of thousands of dollars to fake vendors. We’ve seen attackers sit quietly in email accounts, watching bids and contracts, and we’ve seen downtime bring entire crews to a standstill.

This is why relying only on a tech guy for skilled trades leaves too much to chance.

Where the One-Person IT Setup Falls Apart

A lot of skilled trades businesses rely on a single “IT guy” or someone who handles IT on the side. This could be the project manager, the owner, or the office manager. They’re smart, resourceful people, but they’re also busy people. That’s where the gaps start showing up.

From what we see during onboarding, these problems come up again and again:

Backups Aren’t Reliable

• No written recovery goals.

• Backups stored in one place and rarely tested.

• Nobody is checking whether restore points even work.

Passwords and MFA Are a Mess

• Shared passwords for email, accounting, or vendor portals.

• Weak passwords used across multiple systems.

• Missing multi-factor authentication (MFA) on critical accounts.

Remote Access Isn't Secure

• Old VPNs or remote desktop ports exposed online.

• Former employees still having access.

• Personal devices used for work with no protection.

As a result, one bad link or one compromised account can take down the entire operation. This is exactly where having more than a tech guy for skilled trades makes a real difference.

Downtime Isn't an IT Problem, It's a Money Problem

Most owners think of IT as a cost center only, but when systems go down, it becomes a cash-flow problem immediately.

Research shows downtime can cost between $137 and $427 per minute once you include lost productivity, delayed jobs, and emergency fixes.

If you have multiple crews waiting on schedules, drawings, or job details, a few hours of downtime can easily cost thousands of dollars. That’s before you consider penalties for missed deadlines or the cost of recovering lost data.

This is why we shift the conversation from: “Call the tech guy when something breaks.”

To “Let’s build a proactive strategy that protects your crews, jobs, and cash flow.”

That’s the mindset that helps a business grow instead of constantly putting out IT fires.

DIY IT: Scrappy, But Risky

Many skilled trades owners and office managers are do-it-yourself problem solvers by nature. They can figure almost anything out with wiring, troubleshooting, and workflow software. Be cautious because DIY IT comes with hidden dangers.

Here’s what we typically find when someone inside the company handles IT on top of their day job:

• Systems “work” but haven’t been patched or updated.

• Backups fail quietly for months without anyone noticing.

• Admin passwords aren’t documented anywhere safe.

• Security tools were added over time without planning.

• No one is responsible for offboarding old employees.

When that one “computer-savvy” employee gets sick or leaves? Suddenly, no one knows how to recover files, access the firewall, or restore data.

You would never let your best electrician design the structure for a four-story building. You shouldn’t rely on one person, even a smart one, to architect your entire IT environment either.

This is another reason the industry needs more than a tech guy for skilled trades.

Break-Fix vs. Proactive IT: Two Very Different Outcomes

If you work with a break-fix tech, recovery looks like this:

• Something breaks.

• You call and hope they answer.

• You wait.

• They troubleshoot without documentation.

• They apply a temporary fix.

• The root cause remains.

That process can take days, especially if your tech is busy, unavailable, or on vacation.

When you partner with a proactive IT team, everything changes:

• Monitoring catches issues before they stop your crews.

• Backups are tested.

• MFA and secure remote access are already in place.

• Recovery follows a documented plan.

• Downtime drops dramatically.

Instead of chaos and guesswork, you get clarity and predictable results.

IT Isn't Just Computer Support, It's Risk Management

Skilled trades companies store sensitive data:

• customer addresses

• payment details

• job history

• vendor accounts

• employee information

In many small businesses, up to 87% of customer data could be exposed in an attack.

Yet only 17% of small businesses carry cyber insurance, even though 75% say they could not survive a ransomware attack.

This is no longer “just IT.” It’s insurance, compliance, safety, and business continuity.

Cyber insurance carriers and large general contractors are also asking tougher questions:

• Do you have MFA?

• Are your backups secure?

• Do you have endpoint protection?

• Do you train employees?

If the answer is no, you may not qualify for insurance or for bigger contracts.

What Happens When a Real Attack Hits?

Look at what happened to Skender Construction in Chicago. A ransomware attack exposed personal data for 1,067 people with names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and even bank details. They avoided paying the ransom only because they had strong backups and a prepared IT team.

Now imagine the same attack happening to a 20-person electrical or mechanical contractor relying on a single tech guy.

• Crews can’t access schedules.

• Email is compromised.

• Files show ransom notes.

• The IT person is scrambling to find backups.

• Owners are calling banks, lawyers, and insurance.

• Rumors spread fast across teams and customers.

Recovery could take days, if recovery is even possible. This is why having a true IT partner matters long before an attack ever happens.

Why Skilled Trades Need a Partner, Not a Vendor

At All in IT, we don’t see ourselves as a vendor. We become part of your team. Here’s what that looks like:

• A dedicated account manager and vCIO (me) involved in your business.

• Regular strategic reviews that occur monthly, quarterly, or twice a year.

• Clear technology roadmaps so you always know what’s coming.

• Open communication so we understand your workflow, staffing, and risks.

• A focus on protecting your reputation and helping you win bigger contracts.

Our job is to keep your crews billable, your technology reliable, and your business secure.

If all you want is someone to reboot your router, we might not be the right fit.

If you want a partner who helps you grow, stay secure, and sleep better at night, that’s where we shine. Ready to protect your crew, your data, and your bottom line? Contact All in IT today and get the trusted tech partner your skilled trades business deserves.

Matt Daniel, CEO & Founder

Matt Daniel is the founder and CEO of All in IT, where he helps skilled trade businesses build secure, reliable, and scalable technology systems. With years of hands-on experience supporting contractors, HVAC companies, and other field service professionals, Matt is passionate about making IT simple, practical, and profitable for the trades.