Bobbym you may have already removed all your baseboards, but if you have any more or you ever have to remove more baseboard in the future. NEVER pry the base board out from the wall or use your sheetrock as a prying lever, always pry the baseboard UP from the floor, using the floor as a lever. You won’t damage the sheetrock that way and if you cut a line in the caulk at the top of the baseboard with a utility knife you won’t even damage the paint.

We laid a knotty pine (floating) floor with 51/4” planks some years ago and you are right you must start out correctly or you will wind up way off. The customer was happy, but personally I thought it looked like a bowling alley and I told him so, but He was undaunted by my comment and very happy with his 500sq ft. wood floor.