The Allstate Insurance Safe Homeowners Study has shed light on risks that buyers and homeowners should avoid to prevent extra stress in the selling and buying process.

The study consisted of 662 homeowners in Quebec over the age of 18. It took place between March 27 and March 30, according to an announcement.

The survey found that 58 per cent of homeowners plan to renovate their property this year, and 32 per cent said their renovations include cosmetic transformations.

Residents are advised to think carefully about the process, including installing wallpaper. 

"Picking out a wallpaper pattern is much more fun than having to remove it after-the-fact, so taking a step back to see if there are risks brewing under the surface and taking care of those first may help avoid a hot of headache and heartache," Andre Parra, regional claims director of Allstate Canada, said in the release.

The study also discovered that the most common types of damage to homes are from water, like burst pipes. Burst pipes account for 53 per cent of claims, according to the release. Toilet and shower leaks account for 35 per cent of water claims. Electrical and kitchen fires are also cited as causes of damage, and incorrect wiring is the top cause of electrical fires.

Residents are also urged to monitor for missing or curled shingles, which could help prevent roof infiltration.