What an experience. We ordered 11 windows from Finesse including a bay roof and some plastering. After getting quotes from several companies we choose Finesse because we thought they're a local company with a good product. They're quote was around £3k more than Amber.
They started the installation mid August and estimated it'd take 3 days. The job was finished on October 30th (2.5 months). It took longer than expected for several reasons.
The first was the bay roof had to be redone. The lead work was horrendous and the roof had no pitch so became a huge puddle (photos attached). Initially, they said this was normal and some pooling was expected. Shockingly we overheard the installers saying "I've never done one of these before", "Well it only has to last 6 months and we're ok". To be fair, after some complaining, Finesse completely redid the roof and admitted it was wrong.
The first installers also refused to fit the lintel above the kitchen window and I quote "that's a builders job not our job". To make it easier, Finesse then offered £150 discount to change the angle iron to a flat steel which we agreed. Then when installing the flat steel lintel, the lintel was tied into the brickwork and was cut to the size of the window frame (see photo). Whilst strengthening the frame, it didn't take the weight of the bricks above. They knocked off another £50 but still insist "the lintel is fitted properly and this is how we always fit lintels".
Two of the windows were too big in the frame and either are ridiculously grindy to open or just didn't open at all (unfortunately can't upload videos to this review). Again, Finesse fixed this.
What took the longest amount of time was the quality of the glass. We had the front bedroom replaced 3 times. The first because it had a really glaring obviously roller pattern (see photo). The second because there were scratches on the inside of the glass. The third because there were chips on the inside of the glass (see photo). Finesse eventually brought out the window company who explained there's nothing they can do about the roller pattern.
Overall, each of our interactions with Finesse were friendly and productive but we constantly felt like it was our responsibility to check they were doing their work properly. We had to remind them several times to completely finish each window including adding window caps, silicone sealant and providing keys.
What I think has happened is that Finesse (who don't employ their fitters they subcontract work out), have become so popular they're subcontracting people who generally couldn't care less. Whilst still not perfect, we've accepted our windows because we don't want to drag it on any longer.
[Future addition]: As highlighted and mentioned in Finesse's reply, this was NOT the final state the work was left in BUT it fully well might've been had I not been the type to complain or minded climbing up a ladder to inspect.