Ask your builder.

Our builder is saying the gap is standard and not willing to do anything to adjust it.

I've not seen a pocket frame constructed like yours, sitting atop a 2x4. All of our pocket systems were constructed on site. You should definitely speak to your builder because it appears that your Johnson frame was installed incorrectly (i.e., not directly to the floor as shown in the installation pdf).

eta: our tracks were attached to headers and the sides were standard 2x6 framing, which is different from the Johnson or prefab pocket kits. But, when I have seen prefab kits in the past, they have not been placed on top of 2x4s.

What spaces are on each side of the pocket door?

It looks like the other door in the small room has a high clearance, too?

@mainenell that door is the exterior door into the garage. That did also have a high threshold but it was fixed through installation of a threshold.

Paige H, for comparison, I've attached an image of one of our site-built pocket frames. This one closely resembles the construction of your Johnson frame kit. At the bottom of the pocket opening, you can see that the door's pass-through is unobstructed (i.e., no 2x wood member at between pocket opening and subfloor).

Ours is .75 in above finished floor. No 2x4 or whatever that piece of wood is. I suspect the door will just stop sooner with trim - not be recessed but I suppose it could be.

I will tell you that we rarely close our pocket doors, if that helps. Mine are installed without the 2 x 4 under them.

Your contractor installed it incorrectly. Get the correct specs from the manufacturer printed out and show your GC and insist he do it right.

Tell him to fix it, even if it means a tear out. Good grief.

My gap at the bottom is tiny. No piece of wood on bottom.

Screenshot of the install instructions showing the base plate removed prior to installation of pocket door kit.

What spaces are on each side of the pocket door?

In the residential construction business contractors should pay for their own education. I'm not an accountant, but I'd say your contractor has the choice of either charging the cost of the do-over against the job cost or his continuing education expense line item.

Was there ever a flooring change during the design or construction process?

Mine looks a lot like I Love Red's photo (right down to the crown molding and wall colors!) - except my gap at the bottom is a smidge taller. I'd guess I have maybe an inch or maybe even an inch and a half. I don't care.

It's a pocket door. None of them are air tight or provide great sound barriers. One doesn't choose pocket doors if you're going for as sound proof as possible. I would not be losing any sleep over this nor would I make them tear out a wall.

We all have different tolerances and that's what makes life interesting. To me, this is not a hill worth dying on. YMMV.

Thank you everyone! Ultimately we had him tear the wall done and start from scratch. It was painful, but it’s a door to a playroom so we will want as much soundproofing as a pocket door can provide. It’s a glass one meant to provide visibility and enough soundproofing...but ultimately still let the adults see what is going on :)

Good for you.

Love it when the Houzz folk help people.