When Kakha Buchukuri moved to the UK from Georgia in 2003, he was a medical student with plans to complete his studies, become a doctor, and return to his homeland.
But life took a different turn as he realised medical work was not for him. While still studying, he began to work in the construction industry to earn some money, and soon found it was much more to his liking.
Now, 20 years on 44-year-old Kakha has settled in Surrey Quays, has a young family and is an award-winning project manager building properties with Bovis Homes – part of the Vistry Group.
He was recently awarded the Pride in the Job award for his work at the homebuilder’s Watermans Park location in Gravesend, where construction is now complete.
The awards are given by the National House Building Council (NHBC). Every site registered with the NHBC is automatically entered into the annual competition, and out of more than 8,000 candidates only 444 site managers won the Quality Award this year.
Kakha started out in the industry 19 years ago working in a range of trades from roofing to carpentry. He went on to study logistics and construction management and was employed by different building companies studying and working his way up to become a site manager.
Four and a half years ago he started working for Bovis Homes as project manager at Watermans Park. Bovis Homes has been part of the Vistry Group since it formed in January 2020 and Kakha says that his skills and the quality of his work have developed enormously because of the commitment, ambition, and support of the company.
He brings total dedication to his work and no matter how many properties are under his charge, he visits and inspects every house under construction every day.
“This is laborious work, but everything on my site is my responsibility. Every brick. Every joist. Every nail.
“It requires constant, constant dedication on a daily basis, every minute of the hour,” he said.
“I want to achieve perfection in whatever I am building. I want to achieve the best quality and I build them as if they were my own houses.
“Every time I meet a new customer, I tell them ‘I built your house, and I am proud of what I have built.’”
He gives every new homeowner his mobile number when he introduces himself and tells them if there are any issues at all they must contact him directly and he will deal with it immediately.
Discovering he had won the Pride in the Job Quality Award was a great moment.
He said: “It was an amazing feeling, it was unbelievable, I was really happy.”
He paid tribute to his team at Watermans Park and says that he made sure he was surrounded by good people who worked well and that he could trust.
He added that the advice and guidance of the NHBC inspector had been invaluable in reaching the standard required for the award.
Looking back, he has no regrets about not continuing with his medical career after six years of study at university because he believes he learned and developed through those studies. It also means he has significant understanding of any first aid requirements on site.
And though managing a construction site is a stressful job at times, Kakha says he enjoys every minute.
“I love everything about it. You start a job and there’s nothing there, just a wasteland, and when you leave it’s like a little village.
“It’s creating something at the end of it which is so rewarding. I don’t even feel how the day goes. It means something to come to work and you enjoy being there all day. Every minute you are making decisions and creating something good.”
Kakha’s next construction site will be the Pippins Place development in East Malling, where Bovis Homes will be building 250 properties.
There are two-bedroom apartments available to buy at Watermans Park, with prices starting from £259,995.
References to “we”, “us” or “our” are to the part of the Vistry Group (including Linden Homes, Bovis Homes, Countryside Homes, Drew Smith or one of Vistry’s joint venture companies) from which you are intending to purchase a new home. References to "you” and “your” are to the prospective buyer or buyers of a new home from us.
All images are used for illustrative purposes only and are representative only. They may not be the same as the actual home you purchase and the specification may differ. Images may be of a slightly different model of home and may include optional upgrades and extras which involve additional cost. Individual features such as windows, brick, carpets, paint and other material colours may vary and also the specification of fittings may vary. Any furnishings and furniture are not included in any sale. Please check with our sales consultants for details of the exact specifications available at the development(s) for each type of home and the associated prices.
