Need advice on removing baseboards when installing new tile and hardwood floors

[MikeF]

Baseboard goes on top of finished flooring (generally). You want to leave an expansion gap between hardwood floors and the wall and the baseboard on top covers the gap (like said earlier in the thread). And the casing around doors (and possibly the jambs) might have to be cut to fit the finished flooring underneath as well.

Is the baseboard that special that it can't be replaced with new? It's pretty tough to get old baseboard off -- especially if it's been there many years and many coats of paint. Pieces might crack or you might ding the wall trying to pry it off...