Is this expected behavior after replacing the clutch on a Mazda 3?

I recently had the clutch replaced in my 2008 Mazda 3i manual transmission (last question in this saga I hope!). The car works now, but sounds and runs a bit differently than before. I expect some differences, due to parts being new and/or different, but I’m wondering if the differences I’m experiencing point to some problem with the repair.

• When I start the car, it sounds as if metal is grinding together briefly – almost as if shifting gears without the clutch pedal in.

• It is difficult to put the car into gear after a cold start – it won’t go into first / reverse, or will go into a higher gear but with some grinding (after which I can get it into first / reverse).

• The clutch pedal sticks about halfway up, especially after cold starts. As the engine warms up it seems to stick less.

• There is almost no resistance when pushing the clutch pedal in (very similar to the brake pedal when the master cylinder is toast), and there’s only about an inch of "travel" while the gears "engage" when letting off the clutch (I don’t know the proper term(s) for this). This certainly will take some getting use to, but is the least of my concerns. I’d much prefer a shifting experience more close to what I had before, but if this is just due to the clutch kit they used or whatnot, so be it.

Do any of these indicate a problem with the repair itself (e.g., they forgot to tighten something) or with the parts they used? Or is this all expected behavior after replacing the clutch in an older car? They replaced the pressure plate, fly wheel, bearings, and maybe something else (they said it all came as part of a "clutch kit").