The Institute was established in 1982 when the Singapore Institute of surveyors and the Singapore Institute of Valuers merged. The Institute comprises 3 pisions: the Land Surveyors, the Quantity Surveyors and the Valuation and General Practice Surveyors.

The Land Surveyors play a crucial role in the proper erection of buildings, especially high-rise construction, and the accurate delineation and identification of vertical and horizontal interests in these buildings.

The Quantity Surveyors are consulted on the economics of cost in the development or redevelopment process.

The Valuers give advice on the values of interests in property upon which all real estate activities are based on. In addition, the Valuation and General Practice Surveyors also comprise real estate professionals dealing in marketing and agency, management and various forms of consultancy on real estate issues.