For detailed steps, check sticky thread:
https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/express-entry-in-a-nutshell.394158/
For the costs, there are two types of costs. The first one is about the pre-requisites for eligibiltiy, meaning language tests, education credential assessement (ECA), mailing, medicals, etc... Of course, these are
payable as you move forward. For this, you're looking at the following:
-Medical Exam: depending on your clinic/doctor, should be around
150$US-200$US for each person.
-IELTS: 200$US-250$US depending on where you are
-TEF: (if applicable to you) is around
250$US as well
-ECA: you're looking at
150$US for each person,
plus mailing the documents to the ECA center. Cost of that varies depending on where you are, and how fast
-There may be fees also for getting police certificates for some countries. It will vary depending on which ones you need to get.
Then you have costs for the application itself:
-Application Processing Fee:
550CA$ for each
-RPRF (Right of Permanent Residence Fee):
490CA$ for each
-If applicable,
150CA$ per child
-If applicable, Biometrics Fee of
85CA$ per person
Processing Fees, and Biometrics are mandatory at the time of submission.
Biometrics can be paid at time of submission,
or later upon request from IRCC.
80% of applications are processed in 6 months or less. Some applications take 2-3 months, some take more than 6 months, but the vast majority take 6 months.
For IELTS, needless to say the higher your score, the better your ranking in the pool, therefore better chances of receiving in invitation to apply. The minimum score that you need is
Band 6.0 in all sections. If you get just one section below that, you will not be eligible, at least for FSW, and I'm assuming that's your stream.
Cheers.