Valve job for $1500? WTF... are they gonna replace your entire valvetrain?

I'd get a second opinion ASAP. Call up some honda specialists and see if they'd be willing to take a low cost or free look at what's going on. Mention that you're looking for a good new shop to take your car too.

If you're near the Santa Cruz area, I can make at least 2 reccomendations. But yeah, shop around.