Finesse Windows Ltd has been named Which? Trusted Trader of the Month for August 2024.

This is the sixth time the company has won this award - it also won in May 2023, July 2021, July 2020, July 2019, and July 2017, as well as scooping up Which? Trusted Trader of the Year in 2021.

We caught up with Ellie Franklin, customer service director at Finesse Windows, to talk about some of the recent developments the company has had, and how being a Which? Trusted Trader has impacted business.

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Growing and improving year by year

Based in Birmingham, Finesse was founded in 1981 by David Bridge and Peter O’Neil, with the goal of designing, manufacturing and fitting windows with the utmost care and attention. Since then, David’s children Ellie and Russell have taken on the reins, and the company employs almost 40 team members.

The company last won Which? Trusted Trader of the Month in May 2023, and we asked Ellie how things have changed since then.

‘This year, we have continued to fine tune the experience we offer our customers, using our six-stage process to guide consumers through their journey with us with clarity and transparency,’ she said.

‘We have invested in a unique quotation programme to provide the very best information at the quotation stage, so that clients always know what they are investing in and nothing is a surprise. We’ve also introduced new products: we now offer verandas, sky lights and lanterns, and have a fabulous architectural, aluminium window range. We built a new mezzanine floor in our showroom to fully showcase the new items.’

A standout development to our judges was the company’s new ‘Bringing our Showroom to you’ boxes, which contain everything a customer needs to know - from product details to hardware examples - brought straight to their door.

One of our judges said: ‘I really like this idea. It could definitely be used for other businesses that have showrooms to add value.’ Another commented, ‘I think the new way to get the products to the customers is a great idea! It’s giving all the tools for the consumers to see before making their decisions.’

Putting the community first

Finesse Windows has an extensive track record of charitable works. We asked Ellie to tell us about a recent piece of charity work she’s particularly proud of.

‘We have supported our local B30 Trussell Trust food bank this year with three donations from our very generous customers and colleagues. We've also supported our local schools with prize donations for raffles, but also by installing a veranda to provide outdoor learning space for one of our schools, meaning the children can learn outside no matter what the British weather decides to do!

‘We installed a new front door for a local community centre, along with our continued work to raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease and our pursuit to help find a cure for this terrible disease.’

The company also offers great work opportunities to apprentices: ‘Our apprentices have completed their training and are now fully qualified window and doors installers,’ said Ellie. ‘This programme has been so successful that we have taken on a further three apprentices, trained by the very best installers in the 'Finesse' way so that we can continue to provide quality installations with our new generation of fitters.’

Which? Trusted Traders gives traders and customers confidence

When asked about her ambitions for Finesse’s future and the impact of being a Which? Trusted Trader, Ellie said:

‘We are looking to expand into new geographical areas - our Which? endorsement will help with this as it is recognised and trusted by all. It gives us the confidence to branch out and offer our unique service further afield.

‘We enjoy sharing what being a Trusted Trader means to us. It helps clients understand that they are dealing with a company that has been rigorously assessed, and not only that, but have had the honour of being awarded the monthly award five times (now six!) and that we were Which? Trusted Trader of the Year in 2021.

‘If potential clients are comparing our services with others, it gives us a clear advantage as the Which? Trusted Trader logo creates a feeling of trust and projects quality customer service automatically. 

‘Our staff are very proud of our achievements and that their commitment to customer service and hard work has been recognised. They continue to strive to be the very best that they can be in all areas of our company and are definitely driven by the reviews and rewards. The bar is continually raised within our business and we are committed to providing the very best products.’

Congratulations to Finesse Windows Ltd on winning August 2024’s Which? Trusted Trader of the Month!

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