What I do is remove the baseboards, repair and refinish them, then reinstall them once the flooring is in. That's a lot of work, but the results look good (to me). Baseboards do get beat up and smudged over time. Filling in the holes, sanding them, and a couple coats of fresh paint make them look really nice.
Removing them is easy. Use a utility knife to break the seal with the walls (in case they were caulked or painted over). Then I like to use a putty knife worked between the wall and baseboards to start loosening them and prying them gently. Once I can get my mini pry bar in there, I can work them away from the wall more aggressively - careful to not damage the walls. Once they're loose, I yank 'em out by hand and trot them down to my bench for refurbishment.
You might want to consider painting the walls while you have your baseboards out and before your new flooring is installed. Easier job to do then, rather than later.
You don't have to do this, mind you. You still need to leave an expansion gap around the perimeter of your room, so how you do that is up to you. Removing and re-installing baseboards is easier than installing your flooring, IMO, so I find it silly to not do it.