We are working hard to achieve "The Dream" with our self build. It is amazing to create what you think will be the perfect house.
Not so amazing when things go wrong. Then the Dream is easily a Nightmare. At least in terms of the build (not life in general)
Such as:
The slope on the hill we are building on is not steep enough to have one door on the first floor leading straight out (which was supposed to be our main entrance) and the door on the ground floor leading out to street level. So the first floor door is converted to a big window (overlooking mountains, so quite nice), and the entrance hall converted to my study. Neither I nor the project manager realized this. The downstairss living area has been divided up and turned into just some space (possibly for kids to play) and a new entrance hall. So we gained a study for me on the first floor, but lost our downstairs living room.
Or, the plumber forgot we also have an upstairs toilet and only laid wastepipe (sewage) to the downstairs loo.
So, we have to hack up the concrete floor, to connect to sewage pipe, and due to the underfloor heating, ALL the floor needs to be hacked up, and carried out in wheelbarrows. Underfloor heating laid again, and new concrete laid. Concrete needs to harden for 3 weeks until further work can be carried out.
I am sure there will be more.
In my opinion, the Dream does not exist, other than in your dreams.