Florida HOA Board Guide: How to Select an Iguana Removal Contractor (Free RFP Template)

If you serve on a Florida HOA board, you've likely faced the question: "What are we going to do about the iguana problem?" What starts as a few lizards in the common areas can quickly escalate into a community-wide infestation that damages landscaping, undermines seawalls, and generates constant resident complaints.

This guide walks you through the professional Request for Proposal (RFP) process for selecting an iguana removal contractor—protecting your community, your board, and your budget.

Why a Professional RFP Process Matters

Board Fiduciary Duty

As an HOA board member, you have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of the community. This means:

Competitive pricing: Ensuring you're not overpaying for services
Due diligence: Verifying contractor qualifications before signing
Documentation: Creating a paper trail that protects the board
Transparency: Showing owners their assessments are spent wisely

An informal process—such as hiring someone your property manager knows—may seem convenient, but it exposes the board to criticism, liability, and potentially poor service.

Benefits of a Formal RFP Process

Benefit	Description
Cost savings	Competitive bidding typically reduces costs 15-30%
Quality assurance	Evaluation criteria ensure qualified contractors
Legal protection	Documentation shields board from liability claims
Owner confidence	Transparent process builds trust with residents
Benchmark data	Multiple bids establish fair market pricing

Understanding Your Community's Needs

Before drafting your RFP, conduct an assessment to understand the scope of your iguana problem.

Property Assessment Questions

Infestation severity:
- How many iguanas have been observed?
- Are there established burrows visible?
- What's the damage level to date?
Community characteristics:
- Total acreage of common areas
- Linear feet of seawall or waterfront
- Types of landscaping (tropical plants, gardens, turf)
- Pool areas and amenities
Historical context:
- Previous removal efforts and results
- Seasonal patterns (worse in spring/summer?)
- Resident complaint frequency
Budget constraints:
- Available budget for year 1
- Ongoing maintenance budget
- Emergency response needs

Size Categories for Pricing

Most contractors structure pricing by community size:

Category	Size	Typical Annual Cost
Small	Under 50 units	$3,000 - $6,000
Medium	50-150 units	$8,000 - $15,000
Large	150-300 units	$15,000 - $25,000
Very Large	300+ units	$25,000 - $40,000+

RFP Template: Essential Components

A comprehensive RFP should include the following sections. Customize based on your community's needs.

Section 1: Community Description

[COMMUNITY NAME] REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Iguana Removal and Management Services

1. COMMUNITY OVERVIEW

   Community Name: [Name]
   Location: [City, County, FL]
   Total Units/Homes: [Number]
   Common Area Acreage: [Acres]
   Waterfront Linear Feet: [Feet] (if applicable)

   Property Features:
   □ Lakes/ponds
   □ Seawalls
   □ Swimming pools
   □ Tennis/pickleball courts
   □ Clubhouse with landscaping
   □ Entry monuments
   □ Walking paths
   □ Golf course (private community)

   Current Infestation Level:
   □ Light (occasional sightings)
   □ Moderate (regular sightings, some damage)
   □ Severe (daily sightings, significant damage)
   □ Critical (property damage, resident safety concerns)

Section 2: Scope of Work

2. SCOPE OF SERVICES

   2.1 Initial Assessment
       - Complete property survey
       - Population estimate
       - Damage assessment
       - Burrow mapping
       - Written report with recommendations

   2.2 Removal Services
       - Humane removal compliant with Florida law
       - Burrow treatment/filling
       - On-site euthanasia (standard)
       - Off-site euthanasia option (if licensed)
       - Removal of deceased animals

   2.3 Service Frequency Options (bidders should propose):
       □ Weekly service
       □ Bi-weekly service
       □ Monthly service
       □ Quarterly service
       □ On-call/as-needed

   2.4 Reporting Requirements
       - Monthly service reports
       - Removal counts and locations
       - Damage documentation
       - Quarterly summary reports
       - Annual assessment

   2.5 Emergency Response
       - Response time requirement: _____ hours
       - After-hours availability (Y/N)
       - Emergency pricing structure

   2.6 Exclusions (if any):
       - [List any areas or services NOT included]

Section 3: Contractor Qualifications

3. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

   3.1 Licensing (submit copies with proposal)
       □ Florida Wildlife Control Operator License
       □ Business License (county of operation)
       □ Pesticide License (if applicable)
       □ Transport Permit (if offering off-site service)

   3.2 Insurance Requirements (submit certificates)
       □ General Liability: Minimum $1,000,000 per occurrence
       □ Workers' Compensation: Statutory limits
       □ Auto Liability: $500,000 combined single limit
       □ Community must be named as Additional Insured

   3.3 Experience Requirements
       □ Minimum 3 years iguana removal experience in Florida
       □ Minimum 5 HOA/community references
       □ Demonstrated knowledge of FWC regulations

   3.4 Personnel
       □ Trained, uniformed technicians
       □ Background checks on all personnel
       □ Identification badges required

Section 4: Proposal Requirements

4. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

   4.1 Company Information
       - Company name, address, phone, email
       - Years in business
       - Owner/principal names
       - Number of employees
       - Service area coverage

   4.2 Approach and Methodology
       - Removal methods used
       - Equipment and tools
       - Safety protocols
       - Humane handling practices
       - Compliance documentation

   4.3 Pricing (provide separately for each option)

       OPTION A: Monthly Service Contract
       - Monthly fee: $________
       - Annual total: $________
       - Included services: ________
       - Additional charges: ________

       OPTION B: Quarterly Service Contract
       - Quarterly fee: $________
       - Annual total: $________
       - Included services: ________
       - Additional charges: ________

       OPTION C: On-Call Service
       - Per-visit fee: $________
       - Minimum visit charge: $________
       - Emergency surcharge: $________

       ADDITIONAL PRICING:
       - Initial assessment fee: $________
       - Burrow filling (per burrow): $________
       - Emergency response: $________
       - Holiday/weekend surcharge: ________%

   4.4 References
       - Minimum 5 HOA/community references
       - Include: Community name, contact person, phone, contract duration

   4.5 Required Attachments
       □ Copy of all licenses
       □ Certificate of Insurance
       □ Sample contract
       □ Sample monthly report

Section 5: Evaluation Criteria

5. EVALUATION CRITERIA

   Proposals will be evaluated based on:

   Criterion                        Weight
   ----------------------------------------
   Pricing/Value                     30%
   Experience & Qualifications       25%
   Insurance & Licensing             20%
   Response Time & Availability      15%
   References                        10%
   ----------------------------------------
   Total                            100%

   Note: Lowest price will not necessarily win.
   Board reserves the right to reject any or all proposals.

Section 6: Timeline and Submission

6. RFP TIMELINE

   RFP Issue Date:               [Date]
   Site Visit (optional):        [Date] at [Time]
   Questions Deadline:           [Date]
   Proposal Due Date:            [Date] by [Time]
   Board Review:                 [Date range]
   Interviews (if needed):       [Date range]
   Award Notification:           [Date]
   Contract Start Date:          [Date]

7. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

   Submit proposals to:

   [Community Name]
   Attn: [Property Manager or Board Contact]
   [Address]
   [City, FL ZIP]

   Email submissions accepted: [email]

   Mark envelope/subject line: "Iguana Removal RFP"

Evaluation Process: Scoring Proposals

Step 1: Initial Screening

Before scoring, verify each proposal includes:

All required documents
Proof of insurance meeting minimums
Valid licenses
Minimum 5 references

Eliminate proposals that fail initial screening.

Step 2: Detailed Scoring

Create a scoring matrix for each qualified proposal:

Criterion	Weight	Contractor A	Contractor B	Contractor C
Pricing/Value	30%
Annual cost	15%	___	___	___
Value for services	10%	___	___	___
No hidden fees	5%	___	___	___
Experience	25%
Years in FL	10%	___	___	___
HOA experience	10%	___	___	___
Similar-size communities	5%	___	___	___
Insurance/Licensing	20%
All licenses current	10%	___	___	___
Insurance exceeds mins	5%	___	___	___
Will add HOA as insured	5%	___	___	___
Response Time	15%
Guaranteed response	10%	___	___	___
Emergency availability	5%	___	___	___
References	10%
Positive feedback	5%	___	___	___
Similar community refs	5%	___	___	___
TOTAL	100%	___	___	___

Step 3: Reference Checks

Call each reference and ask:

How long have you used this contractor?
How would you rate their service (1-10)?
Do they respond promptly to calls?
Have you had any issues? How were they resolved?
Would you hire them again?

Step 4: Interviews (Optional)

For top 2-3 candidates, conduct brief interviews:

Site visit with proposal walkthrough
Meet the technician(s) who would service your property
Clarify any proposal questions
Assess professionalism and communication

Contract Structure Recommendations

Once you've selected a contractor, ensure your contract includes:

Essential Contract Terms

Service Schedule:

Specific days/times for regular service
Process for rescheduling due to weather
Access requirements (gate codes, keys)

Performance Standards:

Response time guarantees
Population reduction targets
Damage prevention measures

Reporting:

Monthly written reports required
Format and content specifications
Delivery method and timing

Insurance:

Maintain coverage throughout contract
Provide updated certificates annually
30-day notice of cancellation

Termination:

30-day termination with cause
60-day termination without cause
Procedure for transition

Pricing Protection:

Fixed pricing for contract term
Any annual increase capped (e.g., 3-5%)
Additional services priced in advance

Red Flags in Contracts

Watch out for:

❌ Auto-renewal without notice
❌ Large cancellation penalties
❌ Vague service descriptions
❌ No performance guarantees
❌ Unlimited price adjustments
❌ Hold harmless clauses that are too broad

Using Our Free HOA RFP Platform

Good news: You don't have to manage this process alone.

Iguana Removal Pros offers a free RFP platform for Florida HOAs:

How It Works

Create your RFP online using our template
We distribute to vetted providers in your area
Receive proposals through secure portal
Compare bids with our side-by-side tools
Select your provider with confidence

Platform Benefits

✅ Free for HOAs - No cost to post or receive bids ✅ Pre-vetted providers - All bidders verified by our team ✅ Standardized format - Easy comparison ✅ Legal templates - Contract templates included ✅ Ongoing support - Help throughout process

Create your free RFP now →

Post-Award Best Practices

After selecting your contractor:

Month 1: Kickoff

Schedule kickoff meeting with contractor and property manager
Conduct thorough property walk-through
Establish communication protocols
Set up reporting schedule
Share gate codes, access info

Ongoing Management

Review monthly reports at board meetings
Track removal counts over time
Monitor resident feedback
Conduct quarterly performance reviews
Document all correspondence

Annual Review

Evaluate overall performance
Compare to contract KPIs
Assess whether to renew or rebid
Review pricing for market competitiveness
Plan for next fiscal year budget

Common HOA Questions

Q: Should we get our attorney to review the contract? A: Yes, especially for contracts over $10,000/year. Many community association attorneys offer contract review for a flat fee.

Q: Can we require multiple bids? A: Best practice is 3-5 bids. Your governing documents may require competitive bidding above certain thresholds.

Q: What if we're not satisfied with service? A: Address issues immediately in writing. Most contracts require a cure period before termination.

Q: Should board members attend the site visit? A: At least one board member (preferably the grounds committee chair) should attend to observe contractors' assessments.

Q: How often should we rebid the contract? A: Every 2-3 years, even if satisfied. This ensures competitive pricing and prevents complacency.

Summary: Your RFP Checklist

Use this checklist to ensure a professional process:

Before Issuing RFP:

Assess current infestation level
Determine budget constraints
Define service requirements
Set timeline for process

RFP Development:

Include all required sections
Specify evaluation criteria
Set clear deadlines
Plan site visit (recommended)

Evaluation:

Screen for required documents
Score using weighted criteria
Check references
Interview top candidates

Contract Award:

Negotiate final terms
Have attorney review
Obtain board approval
Execute contract

Post-Award:

Kickoff meeting
Establish reporting
Monitor performance
Annual review

Your board has the responsibility—and the tools—to manage your community's iguana problem professionally. A well-executed RFP process protects your community, ensures fair pricing, and sets the foundation for a successful contractor relationship.

Post your RFP for free →

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