By wiring your home for a security system, you could save $300 to $600 in labor costs. For smoke detectors or other safety devices, you'll need to use "fire wire" (figure A), which has a special sheathing that is resistant to high temperatures.
When you're in the attic, it's sometimes difficult to retrieve wires from low-clearance areas. Try using a hook tool (figure B), which telescopes to grab the wires.
Another common attic challenge is that of figuring out how to drill a hole so that it goes into the void behind a wall. One way of solving this problem is to use a long, flexible drill bit (figure C). Just push the bit up through a hole in the wall, and use it to drill a pilot hole in the top plate behind the wall. From the attic you can enlarge the hole with a spade bit.
Once you've drilled the holes, use a glow rod (figure D) to fish your wires from the attic into the room. Attach the wires from the attic to the end of the glow rod, and fish the wires through to the room below. Then attach the wires to the appropriate sensors or controls.
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