Bob, I've never heard of baseboards going below the level of the hardwood flooring, this sounds ridiculous for the simple reason that hdwd flooring needs to expand and contract with the seasons. That's why you need to leave a good 3/8" or so gap between the edge of the hardwood and the wall, then instal your baseboard over top of it so the wood can move freely.

Half of communication is listening. You can't listen with your mouth.