you don't just scuttle and rebuild a starbase you just spent tons of resources and time on. You should be able to replace the modules
I think the point was that "replacing" modules only gives you back 30% and so why not just scuttle the whole base and start from scratch. I disagree with the "replace modules" for free idea entirely. The whole point of this game is that when you make decisions, undoing it is not free (i.e., fleet cap, research). I do agree you should be able to scuttle portions and get 30% back.