Removing soffits and maintaining their lights

Question from Kristina: 

We purchased a foreclosure and cannot afford all of the updates we would like to make. I decided I would like to attempt to remove the kitchen soffits myself. I understand there may be pipes and such hidden behind the soffits and I have to think about whether I am up to the challenge. Our soffit has can lighting in it...how would we and what would we switch the lighting to in order to maintain the light?

Jake's Answer: 

Kristina,

You are wise to maintain the lighting.  The can lights will have to be moved up into the ceiling.  You may have to slightly relocate some lights due the presence of the ceiling joists.  This shouldn’t be a big deal. Since we rarely install soffits, we typically set the cans in the ceilings, approximately 24” off the wall.