speaker cable doesn't carry a shield, line level does(2 pair individually shielded, for signal between systems, etc)
conduit is generally run up to attic and or down to crawl/basement for future use. in a condo/apt, run it back to that floor's distribution area if you can. also, if you are able to get to your floor's distribution closet, run rendundant feeder of cat5e and rg6 quad to your distro panel in your unit.
if you run spk wire to for future use, mark it on your plans and take pics. of course, run it through volume control locations.
whatever speaker cable you run, run it or buy it with cat5e for future IP use.
i wouldn't use the electrician, unless they have a dedicated low voltage dept. hire an audio company.
jonny, i'll be up there this weekend to do this exact thing on a friend's apt on conn ave nw. i could come by your place and check it out for you. lmk
jr