# IT Support & AI Questions, Answered Plainly | Steady Hand IT

Source: https://steadyhandit.com/faq/

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# Questions, answered plainly

Short answer: Answers to common small-business questions about IT support, AI tools, security, pricing, data safety and what happens when you reach out.

## Getting started

**What happens when I contact you?**
You send a short message. I reply within one business day to set a free 20-minute call. After that you get a written scope and a fixed price. Nothing is billed until you approve it.

**Do I need a long contract?**
No. Care plans are month to month. Projects are fixed price with a written scope.

**Who are your clients?**
Small businesses of roughly 3 to 25 people with no IT department: professional offices, trades, studios, nonprofits and solo professionals.

**Do you work outside Charlotte?**
Yes. Most work is remote, so anywhere in the US works. Onsite visits are for the Charlotte area.

## IT support

**What is the difference between managed IT and break-fix?**
Break-fix means you call when something breaks and pay by the hour. Managed IT means a monthly fee covers prevention and support. Break-fix costs less when nothing goes wrong; managed IT is steadier and catches problems early. Both are offered.

**Is there 24/7 support?**
No. I am one person. Replies come within one business day. If you need round-the-clock coverage, I will tell you honestly and suggest a larger provider.

**Can you work with my current IT person or vendor?**
Yes. I can cover gaps, take second opinions, or act as co-managed support alongside an existing person.

**Who owns our accounts and passwords?**
You do. I use my own named admin account, and the credentials are documented and handed to you.

## AI

**Is it safe to use ChatGPT or similar tools at work?**
It depends on what goes in. Free consumer accounts can use inputs differently than business plans. A short written rule about what staff may paste, plus approved business-grade tools, makes it much safer.

**Will AI replace my employees?**
The projects I take on remove repetitive tasks so people can spend time on work that needs judgment. I will not recommend an automation I would not want applied to my own business.

**What does an AI project cost?**
An AI Quick Start is $1500 fixed over two weeks. Larger builds start at $4000 and are fixed-price after scoping.

## Security and data

**My business is small. Am I really a target?**
Yes. Attacks are largely automated, and small businesses often have fewer defenses. Most incidents come through stolen passwords, phishing and missing backups, which are all fixable.

**Do you do HIPAA or compliance certification?**
No. Regulated compliance work needs specialists, business associate agreements and sometimes legal counsel. I will tell you where my scope ends.

**What happens to my data and what you collect through this site?**
The contact form sends your message to me by email and nothing else. See the [privacy note](https://steadyhandit.com/privacy/).

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