Speaker Cable running under floorboards and in walls (1 Viewer)

I am embarking on a big project, and since I basically have the summer off from work, I have a lot of time to work on my HT. My dedicated room is a 2nd story bonus room. I will be running cable in walls and under floorboards for the first time. I'll be using basic Proflex 14/4 cable, jacketed. My surround dipoles are wall mounted (not in-wall, just mounted to the wall. For the surrounds, I will have to go under the floor and up inside the walls to get to the speakers. Do I use a fish tape or push/pull rod of some sort to grab the cable from under the floor and pull it up inside the wall? How big of a hole do I cut into the drywall to be patched up later?
Thanks for any help you can provide.

Thanks Wayne. I have a question concerning the baseboard hole. I assume that we are referring the baseboard as the molding on the wall coming up from the floor. I don't understand the hole above the baseboard. I am in a 2nd story room. I start running speaker cable under the carpet along the wall until I get to the point where the cable has to go up the wall. Now you're saying drill a hole above the baseboard for the lower hole? Would the cable not be visible over the baseboard until it feeds into that hole?
Or could I drill a hole in the floor, feed it through and somehow grab it from the wall? This is where I get confused.
Thanks for your input.

David,

This sounds like a cool project! Are you just re-running your wiring into the walls or doing a complete theater remodel?

Jason, the theater room is getting a complete makeover. The addition of front projection causes all of that. I am hiding the cables, installing new carpet, constructing a stage in front of the screen, adding a Stewart Firehawk screen, re-painting the walls dark burgundy, adding track lighting to both north and south walls, and did I mention the whole back wall? We're cutting into that to eventually add the component rack and dvd/laserdisc shelves and THX-EX/DTS-ES speakers...whew! So much to do...and as soon as my angled ceiling mount gets here I'll be starting the projector mounting and running conduit in the ceiling for the projector cables...Jessica wants to add a motorized curtain in front of the screen and around the stage. It should be interesting...

Dave,

That sounds amazing! It's awesome that you have the total support of your wife too... and not just support, but she wants to add things! She's a keeper!

Can't wait to check it out when you're done...

Not sure how much help I could be, but if you're in a pinch and you need an extra hand, try me...

Jason, sent you an e-mail.

Dave

Dave, I do this for a living and the best way to get wire in a wall on a second floor room is to: Buy or rent a stud finder and mark the width of the studs with tape.You must also find fire blocking between the studs.You will not be able to fish wire if there is blocking.Once your speaker placement is determined and the path your wire will travel in the wall,you can go up in the attic and find the the wall you will be drilling in to.The closer the wall is to the outside of the house the tighter the space gets for drilling down.Inside walls are always easier.A cordless drill with a paddle bit will cut through the 2x4 pretty easily.Once that hole is drilled.Measure the distace from the opposite wall and figure out where you can cut a hole in to your drywall in the room.Rent a fish "rod" not tape because a rod will get through the insulation in the wall much easier.Tape the speaker wire to the rods in the attic and send down the rod to the cutout in the wall below.You can use a blank wall plate to cover the hole in your wall.I recommend you use two people for this and use walkie talkies if you have them.Have fun.