If grease is leaking from the boots, failure is likely not
far away. You don't want them failing when you are driving
down the highway. How long they'll last is hard to say, but
point is, you want some peace of mind.

Your garage is right about just replacing the half-shafts.
Reason: "Simply" re-packing is expensive, because the tech
first has to take off the half shaft, then remove the boot,
then thoroughly clean (and CV joint grease is about the
thickest grease-based lubricant you'll see on a car), then
re-pack. Major time in labor. Also, rebuilt half-axles have
become plentiful, forcing down their price. IIRC boot
quality has improved since 1996, so this may be the last
half shaft replacement the car needs.

To see how competitive your shop is, check prices for half
shafts for your Accord at Majestic Honda (probably around
$150 per half-shaft), Napa Auto Parts and Autozone (closer
to $75 per half-shaft). Insist on OEM from your garage,
though that may be automatic, since one half shaft from one
model of Honda does not exchange generally with that of
another model. Compare prices.

Figure labor of a couple hours? That's a rough ballpark.
Lots here have done the job, so check back for how long they
think this should take.

I disassembled a CV joint a year or so ago in an automotive
course, then reported on current practices and the thinking
behind them for repairing CV joints.

Elle
Original owner, 1991 Civic

96 EX Accord w 150k miles.  On right inner & outer & left inner cv
joints there is a grease leak from the ends of the boots.  Boots are
good & the boot clamps look ok.  Why/how is grease getting out?  No
typical bad cv joint symptoms yet.  Garage recommended new half axles
- apparently nobody changes just boots anymore because of the labor
costs.  Before I go that route I'll get a lot more miles out of these
- at least until they start clicking.   I've not heard of grease
leaking from good joints/boots.  It's the vertical sling out pattern
on the facing & backing surfaces & right where the boot/clamp there is
seepage.  Any ideas?