Get a fish-tape, and a set of fish stix:

Link to fish tape
Link to fish sticks

Get some large/long drill bits (I like the 16" speedbor) , both standard, and spade bits.  I also recommend a longish masonry bit (I like Bosch).  1/2" to 3/4" (you may need that to feed RJ-45 connectors through holes in the wall or brick).  A right-angle drill (or similar attachment) can be handy for tight places.  

Additional tips:

Pull more wire than you think you'll need.  At least an extra 2-3 arm-spans (from fingertip to fingertip with arms outstretched).  You can leave the extra coiled up in the attic if it doesn't get used.

Get two smaller pull-boxes of cat5/6 rather than one big box (eg. two 500-foot boxes rather than a single 1000-foot box).  This will allow you to fish two locations from your soffits or ceiling with a single attic crawl (a good strategy if it's a real bitch to get into that part of the attic).

Consolidate camera locations (consider whether you can put an outside camera near the same corner where you're putting an inside camera on the ceiling.  It makes the pulling of wire easier by consolidating locations).

Consider pulling power/signal wiring for illuminators/sensors (if you're planning on using them... and you SHOULD be) at the same time.  It's good to get 3-4 runs of network/power/signal wire with a single attic-crawl.

Plan your DVR location, whether doing a home-brew (like we've shown in some of the tacked threads), an embedded DVR, or a Network-Storage device that supports cameras (like the Qnap boxes).  

Use PoE (power-over-ethernet) wherever you can.  It simplifies things greatly.  Be aware that a NEW PoE standard is starting to make inroads into the market (called PoE+), which provides more wattage to devices downstream from the switch.  The classic PoE standard (802.3af) could supply 15 watts... PoE+ standard (802.3at) can provide up to 25 watts... so make sure you don't have any cameras that require the higher-wattage, or get a higher-wattage switch to start with  (I recently made this mistake, so don't do what I did... read the specs carefully)

Fish interior walls rather than exterior walls... it's MUCH easier (no insulation).

Watch for fire-stops in your walls.  A fire-stop (or fire-break) is a short, horizontal 2x4 that is nailed between the vertical studs, and designed to slow the progression of fire up a wall.  They also complicate your wall-fishing greatly.  You can find youtube videos that show you how to cut/drill through/around these.  




Get a decent stud-finder, one that also shows you where electrical wires are.  You don't have to spend big bucks... I use a Zircon.  It will be indispensible when it comes to finding the fire-breaks in your walls, locating studs, and finding ceiling joists (don't mount a camera just to sheetrock)

Link to stud-finder

Put your main switch/DVR on back-up power... it can be as simple as a regular APC UPS hung on the wall in the wiring closet.  

Without more specifics, that's all I can think of off the top of my head.  

No...  but if you'll IM me some pics, I'll help guide you on mounting/coverage areas.

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Just a basic crimper; nothing fancy.  (I think it's a Paladin, but almost any will do... some include a stripper on the crimping tool).  I strip/untwist the cable ends by hand, line them up in the proper order ("B" configuration), cut them even-across, insert them into the Cat5/6 plug, and crimp them.  

The RJ-45 plugs can be had in bulk bags of 50-100... I buy them that way.  

Cable is whatever, just as long as it's solid copper (and not copper-coated aluminum or some other cheap crap)... I've bought from Cable Organizer, Belkin, Amazon... just make sure it's Cat5E or Cat6 (preferably).  I've had good luck recently with Cables-to-Go brand cable.  Link

A 500-foot pull box should be 100-150 bucks.  

I'd also recommend a punch-down tool, and keystone jacks if you're putting wall-plates and ethernet jacks in the house.  Cable Matters brand has served me well.  Link

Here is a reasonably-priced punch-down tool.  And this gadget is worth the money if you're punching down any significant number of keystone jacks.

This is exactly right.  Always give yourself upgrade room.

I'd do a Hikvision system.  It should come in under that price.

How well does that rig work?  I use the old style.