Small business IT support on monthly contracts

Look after the computers, email and backups of local small firms on a monthly contract.

A technician opening a desktop computer to upgrade its components.

Startup cost£500 to £3k

Monthly revenue£800 to £4.5k

Time needed10+ h/week

First incomeMonths

£500-3k
Part-time
From home

Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.

Official data

4,732 UK companies in this field, 23% registered in the last 2 years

SIC 95110 “Repair of computers and peripheral equipment”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.

What it is

Ongoing support for small organisations: setting up and maintaining computers, user accounts, email, backups, security updates and printers, mixing remote help with site visits.

Your first three steps

Write a simple service package with set prices and response times
Set up remote support software and a basic way to log and track jobs
Approach a few local businesses, accountants or office managers for a first trial contract

Who pays

Small offices, practices, shops, charities and tradespeople with a handful of staff and no in-house IT.

How it makes money

A monthly retainer based on the number of users or devices, plus extra charges for projects such as new equipment or office moves.

Skills that help

Networking, Windows, Mac and cloud services such as Microsoft 365
Security and backup basics
Clear communication and dependable response times

Watch out for

Professional indemnity and public liability insurance, check what suits contract work
Data protection duties when you access client systems and data, check with the ICO
Contracts that clearly set out what is and is not covered, and who is responsible for backups
Being on call: agree realistic hours so contracts do not take over your life

🔒 Full research report for UK

Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.

Coming soon

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start a small business IT support company?

Startup costs are typically around £500 to £3,000, depending on the equipment, software and insurance you need. These are estimates, so check your own figures against the type of clients and support you plan to offer.

How much can I earn from small business IT support?

Monthly revenue is typically around £800 to £4,500, depending on how many clients you support and the contracts you agree. The estimates start from about 10 hours a week, so you can build up gradually.

What rules should I check before offering IT support to businesses?

Check which professional indemnity and public liability insurance suits contract work, and your data protection duties with the ICO when accessing client systems. Make contracts clear on what is covered and who handles backups, and agree realistic on-call hours.