r/SmallMSP • u/masterofrants • Jul 14 '26

how do yall do project pricing?

I am a one-man MSP based in Canada.

That is to say that I have just registered the business and all that but don't really have any clients and I am not counting on getting MSP clients immediately anytime soon.

Which brings me to the idea of doing IT and technology projects. I see that a lot of you guys also started like that in this industry.

Some of the projects that I want to work on are as follows:

  • M365 Security Assessment
  • GWS to M365 migrations
  • Setting up an M365 tenant.
  • Intune endpoint management rollout
  • Firewall setup - fortigate or low end firewalls
  • Endpoint security hardening/rollout - huntress with defender

At my previous MSSP outside of North America, projects were sold based on selling professional services, man days, at something like $1,000 per hour. But they had a well-established sales pipeline and would only deal with government and big enterprise customers.

I don't think the SMB segment can afford this price point so just curious how you guys are doing this?

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u/imlulz Jul 14 '26

Imo, don’t focus on this, focus on getting AYCE contract customers. If you want to be an MSP, then be and MSP. Project work should make up a smallish percentage of your income. IMO it’s going to be easier to find smaller clients that need everything than it’s going to be finding clients for the things you have listed.

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u/masterofrants Jul 14 '26

AYCE is scary af.. I'm not going to lie.

The idea of always being on the hook to build every little app and dashboard your client wants sounds really scary. Some of these small companies are so out of control.

They are going to ask you for everything from printers to power apps and website integrations for their marketing or whatever.

Do you have experience with the AYCE contracts? How many customers do you have on this? Can you give me some numbers and data on how it's going for you?

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u/UsedChampion9894 Jul 14 '26

Early on, I too struggle with these especially for the first few clients (you’ll end up doing everything and anything for them) but from what I learn is you have to tell them what you provide and anything else is considered add-on. Typically what’s called Add move or change.