Posted 11/19/2009 22:26 (#931030 - in reply to #930793) Subject: Re: Building sinking
Mountain West
Talk to someone who has built several buildings in your area. Depending on soils and frost, you just need to pour the pillars deep enough and big enough to stop any movement.
Same for the joists. How far between supports, and the expected weight of the roof/loft plus a factor for weather will determine the size of the joists.