Did I need a structural engineer for changing window to door?

weeg

housebuyer7 said:

Thank you! The lintel is not visible to the naked eye - internally the walls are plastered and the rear is rendered ☹️ would a SE still be able to make an assessment?

I'd write a letter outlining what I could see  and couldn't, and noting the date that the works were done and any visible damage , or lack thereof. Basically if it hasn't already moved/ caused damage, it is unlikely to. I've not ever been asked for more than that. Whoever is asking the question is being very diligent. An SE letter will, under most circumstances tick that box, assuming, of course, that there is no cause for concern. (and the photos look fine, but that's worth the non-existant paper i'm writing this on)

housebuyer7

Thank you so much @weeg and @Stuart45

Section62

housebuyer7 said:

Yes Section62 a large window

Nice kitchen

I'm not a structural engineer, and I doubt the buyer's solicitor is one either, but with the benefit of hindsight I would probably have run the alteration past a SE rather than relying on a window company to get it right.

With two large openings the remaining 'L' shaped masonry in the corner is doing a fair bit of work - I would have wanted to be confident it would remain adequate with the masonry below the window removed, particularly in terms of lateral stability.

As stuart45 suggests, your initial response that it was a FENSA company doing the work ought to be enough.  On the scale of issues this one isn't as serious as it might have been if you'd made the opening wider or higher and/or had a new lintel installed.