IT brokerage vs hiring – which should you choose?
When organizations need IT expertise, the choice often comes down to hiring internally or using IT brokerage (consultant brokerage). The decision affects cost, flexibility, speed, and risk.
Comparison
| Topic | IT brokerage | Permanent hiring |
|---|---|---|
| Time to start | Typically fast access | May take months |
| Flexibility | High – adjust duration and scope | Lower – permanent employment |
| Cost structure | Hourly | Salary + employer costs |
| Risk | External delivery | Full employer risk |
| Competence breadth | Access to multiple firms | Limited to internal staff |
| Long-term anchoring | Temporary | Permanent |
When does IT brokerage fit best?
- The competence need is temporary or project-based
- You need specialists quickly
- The project requires experience not available internally
- You want flexibility in capacity
When does permanent hiring fit best?
- The need is long-term and stable
- Competence should be built internally
- The role is central to core operations
- You want organizational continuity
Cost – more than just hourly rate
Permanent hiring involves recruitment costs, employer taxes, pension contributions, and social costs that are often underestimated. Add onboarding time and the risk of a bad hire — and you're easily looking at one to two additional annual salaries.
A wrong hire can cost 1.5–2× annual salary when accounting for recruitment, lost productivity, and rehiring.
IT brokerage operates on a pay-for-delivery model. You pay for actual hours delivered, with no employment obligations. You pay for the work done — not for keeping someone on payroll.
Risk and responsibility
With permanent hiring, the employer carries full responsibility — including labor law obligations, insurance, and severance.
With IT brokerage, delivery responsibility lies with the consulting firm. The broker facilitates the match but does not take on employer or project responsibility.
Contract clarity is essential in both models. For public sector organizations, procurement regulations and framework agreements add additional considerations.
Summary
IT brokerage provides flexibility and fast access to specialized expertise. Permanent hiring offers stability and internal anchoring. Not sure which fits you? Use the TCO calculator on the IT staffing page, or get in touch — we'll help you work it out.