D365 Contractors vs. Full-Time Hires: Which One Saves You More?

💰 CFOs love predictability. But when it comes to staffing a D365 project, the big question is:

Should we hire full-time employees… or bring in expert contractors?

It really depends- if you are looking to build out an internal CoE for your long-term Dynamics needs then FTEs are a good option. If you can find them.

BUT: If you’re trying to increase speed AND avoid burnout for a specific project- contractors win every time.

Let’s break it down.

📉 Full-Time Hires: The Hidden Cost Trap

Hiring a permanent D365 resource sounds logical, right?

Until you realize:

• It takes 3-6 months to find and onboard them
• You’re paying benefits, PTO, and overhead—even when the project slows down
• They might not even have the exact experience OR industry knowledge you need

Oh- and what happens after go-live?

That $160K/yr D365 Advanced Warehouse SME is mostly twiddling their thumbs… or worse, leaving.

👉 Hiring full-time is a long-term investment for a short-term project. That’s not cost-effective. It’s just expensive.

🚀 Contractors: High-Impact, Zero Overhead

D365 contractors are built for speed.

You pay for outcomes- not office snacks.

Here’s what you get:

✅ Immediate availability

✅ Deep expertise (usually across 10+ implementations)

✅ Zero ramp-up time

✅ No long-term commitment

✅ Laser-focused delivery

They’re not there to climb the corporate ladder.

They’re there to get it done right, the first time.

💡 Let’s Do the Math

So you need a Supply Chain Expert to sort out your Inventory Management.

Full-Time Hire:

• Salary: $150,000
• Benefits, overhead, training: $25,000
• Ramp-up time: 2 months (minimum)
• Risk: high if they leave mid-project

D365 Contractor:

• Rate: $165–$200/hr
• Total cost for 6 months: ~$160K
• Immediate productivity
• Off your books when the job’s done

➡️ Same spend. Double the value. Zero long-term risk.

🛠️ But What About “Building Internal Knowledge”?

Valid point.

But here’s the trick: blend both.

Contractors aren’t here to replace your team. They’re here to:

• Accelerate delivery
• Transfer knowledge
• Upskill your internal staff along the way

You get the best of both worlds- speed now, stability later.

🧠 Pro Tip: Not All Contractors Are Equal

Yes, the market is flooded with D365 freelancers—but here’s the truth:

🟥 Some are PowerPoint warriors who talk the talk, but can’t run a proper CRP session.

🟩 Others are battle-tested consultants who’ve delivered 10+ rollouts, fixed trainwrecks, and can spot bad requirements from 100 yards away.

Guess which ones we work with? 😎

If you’re not plugged into the D365 contractor ecosystem, finding the right expert can feel like gambling with your project timeline.

✅ Final Verdict: Contractors Save You More (When You Hire Right)

If you’re:

• Launching a new D365 implementation
• Upgrading from AX or NAV
• Struggling with data, finance, or supply chain performance
• Or just trying to hit your go-live without losing sleep…

💡 Bringing in experienced contractors is faster, smarter, and more cost-effective than locking in full-time hires too soon.

Especially when your project success depends on getting it right the first time.

🔗 Want a cost-effective way to staff your D365 project with real pros?

Let’s connect you with high-impact contractors who deliver ROI from day one.

👉 Talk to us now