The locally run company Zabala Roofing & Construction, which has over 20 years of experience, is currently caught between accountability and reputation. Recently, the company’s name has gone viral on social media, not because of the accuracy of its shingle work but rather because of a string of posts that put its brand in an awkward spotlight.
The company is described as being “committed to excellence and integrity” in its listings on websites such as HomeAdvisor and Angi. Customers’ accounts, however, differ greatly. Numerous reviews detail incomplete tasks, missed appointments, and, at best, unimpressive customer service. In a trade that primarily relies on dependability and craftsmanship, these disparities are especially concerning. Trust is money in a city where roofs are both a source of protection and a symbol, and it can be easily devalued.
When a TikTok video of adults driving a van bearing the name “Zabala Roofing” and stealing Halloween candy from a community porch gained a lot of traction, social media stepped up the discussion. Local outrage was sparked by the video, which was later discussed on Reddit’s r/Louisiana forum. The sentiment expressed by one commenter, “It ruins your business when your company vehicle is used for this,” struck a deep chord. The video evolved into a metaphor for misplaced trust rather than just a practical joke.
| Company | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Zabala Roofing & Construction, LLC |
| Address | 6759 Old Gentilly Rd, New Orleans, LA 70126 MapQuest+1 |
| Phone | +1 (504) 292-3456 MapQuest+1 |
| Services | Roofing, gutters, siding, exterior work Home Advisor+1 |
| Experience | Company states “23 years of experience” on listing Home Advisor |
| Rating | 1.1 out of 5 based on 90 reviews on HomeAdvisor/Angi Home Advisor+1 |
| Reference website | HomeAdvisor listing Home Advisor |
Social media has significantly raised consumer awareness, as evidenced by the public’s reaction to Zabala Roofing’s viral moment. What used to be a local story now becomes a citywide one in a matter of hours. Hashtags, security footage, and online reviews combine to create a powerful accountability tool that changes the way people view nearby companies. Even though it can be harsh at times, digital transparency can be a very powerful tool for holding service providers to higher standards.
Every controversy, however, has a backstory. Coastal Louisiana’s roofing industry is under tremendous strain due to weather patterns, insurance issues, and shifting material prices, which continuously put smaller businesses to the test. These demands can be especially harsh for contractors like Zabala Roofing. Years of hard work can be overshadowed by a single public error, and a viral video can drastically alter a company’s course in an instant. In this context, the firm’s challenge shifts from fixing shingles to regaining confidence.
It is crucial to acknowledge that the roofing industry continues to play a vital role in the lifeblood of New Orleans. Roofers are the ones who come with ladders and tarps after every storm, whether it’s Katrina, Ida, or the next unnamed tempest. They frequently work in extreme heat and with a sense of urgency. Through their efforts, homes, memories, and legacies are all protected. Because of this, industry professionalism is extremely personal. The entire system, including homeowners, insurers, and local regulators, suffers when trust is lost.
The situation facing Zabala Roofing prompts a more thorough examination of contemporary consumer behavior. Today’s homeowners possess far more information than they did in the past. Through local apps, they cross-check reviews, confirm licenses, and keep an eye on contractors in real time. Cities like New Orleans, where local businesses rely heavily on community ties, stand to gain the most from this trend. Transparency has evolved into a double-edged sword that demands accountability while simultaneously protecting clients.
Reputation serves the same purpose in this setting as roofing material itself: it needs to be incredibly resilient, weatherproof, and storm-resistant. Repairing something that has been damaged takes more than just words; it takes constant, obvious work. Just as a properly installed roof can withstand Louisiana rains again, a business that learns from its mistakes can still rebuild its reputation.
In contrast, comparable reckonings have been faced by other industries. Restaurants use strict retraining to survive health-code scandals, and small fashion labels use ethical sourcing to recover from production errors. Transparency turns into the ladder out of the abyss in each situation. The formula is still the same: open communication, demonstrated outcomes, and a genuine dedication to improvement if Zabala Roofing is to win back people’s trust.
