The Complete MSP Vetting Checklist

Sit down with your current or prospective MSP and go through each question one by one. Ask for real, recent examples, not just "Yes" or "We do that." If a provider hesitates, dodges, or can't back up their answers with specific proof, you've just identified a risk. The right provider won't flinch at a single question on this list.

A great MSP makes IT invisible: one point of contact, clear communication, and a process that works without you managing it.

1. 1Will I have one business/entity for everything IT-related?
2. 2How do you coordinate with third-party vendors so I'm not stuck in the middle?
3. 3What's your process for onboarding new employees quickly and smoothly?
4. 4How will you ensure I don't need to learn "tech speak" to get support?

Security isn't a product. It's a practice. Your MSP should be able to articulate exactly how they keep your defenses current and what happens when something goes wrong.

1. 1How do you keep our defenses current as threats evolve?
2. 2Can you explain how you'd respond if we were breached tomorrow?
3. 3What cybersecurity solutions are included in your core offering, and which are extra?
4. 4How often do you perform security reviews and update your stack?

Surprise invoices are a symptom of misaligned expectations. Your MSP's pricing should be transparent, fixed, and fully understandable before you sign anything.

1. 1Is your pricing truly fixed with no surprise invoices?
2. 2If our user count changes mid-contract, how do you handle it?
3. 3Are Microsoft licenses included or billed separately?
4. 4Can you show me a sample invoice so I know exactly what to expect?

Response time matters most when everything is on fire. Find out exactly what happens when you call, submit a ticket, or face a critical outage, before you need to find out the hard way.

1. 1What's your real-world average response time, and can I see proof?
2. 2Who answers the phone when I call: a tech, a dispatcher, or voicemail?
3. 3What happens if I submit a ticket after hours or on a weekend?
4. 4How do you handle critical outages differently from standard requests?

The best IT partners don't just keep the lights on. They help you grow. These questions reveal whether your MSP is thinking about your business or just your tickets.

1. 1How do you help clients leverage technology for competitive advantage?
2. 2Will you proactively recommend upgrades and process improvements, or only when I ask?
3. 3How do you track and report on the value you've delivered each quarter?
4. 4Can you share a client success story that's similar to my business?