You can certainly place the hive aside nearby. Try not to go far, and most especially important do not change the orientation of the entrance relative N-E-S-W. Put it wherever you need to temporarily, ensuring the entrance faces the same way. The bees will find it and work away at the new spot while you work away at the old spot. I would suggest you make the move 2 days before you want to work on the old spot. Else you will have a lot of bees hovering around you the whole time.
Hope that helps!