Modifying kitchen soffits

hi jake.

I purchased a 1960\'s custom built home and am changing out kitchen cabinets. The original cabinets in this small kitchen were made for this house and are not standard depth or width. In order to replace the cabinets I have to add 9.5 inches to two existing soffits and extending the soffit approximately 24 inches from a microwave on top / oven on the bottom to the entrance to the kitchen to accommodate a pantry cabinet. how do I add on to the soffits that exist? Do I cut out the drywall on the ends and try to add to the existing soffit frame. The roof line is fairly flat so there is 24 inches in the attic to work in for the large soffit addition. The two smaller additions are on an outside wall with about 18 inches of roof overhang. I am at a loss. Please help!!! Thanks.

Steve, the way we extend soffits is to cut back the drywall approximately 1' so the new drywall will overlap the existing framing.   The framing, or skeleton, of the soffit is usually made up of 2 x 4's built to the depth or width of the extension.  You can preframe the extension on the ground then install the unit complete.  This is sometimes easier than trying to work with the small framing pieces.